latimes--2020-04-15--Los Angeles County could see $1-billion decline in sales tax revenue due to coronavirus

Los Angeles County could see a $ 1-billion decline in sales tax revenue this fiscal year , which ends June 30 , because of the massive economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak .
The decline is expected to surpass $ 2 billion between now and the end of fiscal 2021 , according to county estimates released Wednesday .
The county is spending millions responding to the COVID-19 crisis , and officials anticipate working with state and federal leaders in the months ahead in hopes of seeing reimbursement .
“ The budget outlook is critically important for Los Angeles County to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the essential programs and services residents rely on in all of our communities , ” Supervisor Kathryn Barger , chair of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors , said in a news release .
“ As we continue to collaboratively address the COVID-19 public health crisis , we remain committed to meeting the needs of residents across L.A. County.
” Chief Executive Officer Sachi A. Hamai has imposed hard freezes on hiring and purchasing , and has directed county department heads to prepare for “ a range of potential program reductions in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant losses which unfortunately will have a major effect on programs that the county administers on behalf of our 10 million residents , ” Hamai said .
“ Our aim is to work with our departments and the Board of Supervisors to prioritize needs and ensure that Los Angeles County continues its vital role as the safety net for our most vulnerable residents.
” County leaders will likely have to make extensive adjustments in future budget phases to address revenue shortfalls and rising expenditures because of the crisis .
The recommended budget for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was prepared before the pandemic — will be presented to the Board of Supervisors on April 28 .

Some stores in Beverly Hills and Pasadena have boarded up the front to prevent vandalism.
Los Angeles County could see a $1-billion decline in sales tax revenue this fiscal year, which ends June 30, because of the massive economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
The decline is expected to surpass $2 billion between now and the end of fiscal 2021, according to county estimates released Wednesday.
The county is spending millions responding to the COVID-19 crisis, and officials anticipate working with state and federal leaders in the months ahead in hopes of seeing reimbursement.
“The budget outlook is critically important for Los Angeles County to allocate resources effectively and to plan for the essential programs and services residents rely on in all of our communities,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger, chair of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, said in a news release. “As we continue to collaboratively address the COVID-19 public health crisis, we remain committed to meeting the needs of residents across L.A. County.”
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Chief Executive Officer Sachi A. Hamai has imposed hard freezes on hiring and purchasing, and has directed county department heads to prepare for “a range of potential program reductions in the coming fiscal year.”
“These are significant losses which unfortunately will have a major effect on programs that the county administers on behalf of our 10 million residents,” Hamai said. “Our aim is to work with our departments and the Board of Supervisors to prioritize needs and ensure that Los Angeles County continues its vital role as the safety net for our most vulnerable residents.”
County leaders will likely have to make extensive adjustments in future budget phases to address revenue shortfalls and rising expenditures because of the crisis.
The recommended budget for fiscal 2020-21 — the majority of which was prepared before the pandemic — will be presented to the Board of Supervisors on April 28.


latimes--2020-04-15--Across California, festivals and fairs fall victim to the coronavirus

The San Mateo County Fair has been closed to visitors only once in its 86-year history — and that was during World War II .
This year will be the second time , as the summertime staple has been scrapped amid the widening coronavirus pandemic .
“ We will get through this and emerge stronger and better together , ” fair Chief Executive Dana Stoehr said in a statement announcing the cancellation .
“ We look forward to welcoming you back as soon as the crisis is behind us.
” San Mateo isn ’ t alone .
Across California , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community celebrations and commemorations of a rich agricultural legacy — are being canceled , postponed or downsized amid the pandemic .
Events ranging from the San Bernardino County Fair to the Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee have already been struck from the calendar , and state officials are warning not to expect large-scale to-dos to resume anytime soon .
“ The prospect of mass gatherings is negligible at best until we get to herd immunity and we get to a vaccine , ” Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Tuesday .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diego County Fair , which was officially postponed Tuesday until next year .
The event , originally scheduled for June 5 through July 5 , has drawn upward of 1.5 million visitors annually in recent years .
“ The health and safety of our community takes precedence during this unprecedented time of crisis , ” Del Mar Fairgrounds Chief Executive and General Manager Tim Fennell said in a statement .
A similar fate could befall the Orange County Fair , which drew nearly 1.4 million attendees last year .
Its board of directors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cancel the event , which is scheduled to run July 17 through Aug. 16 .
“ When the time is right , we will be so happy to welcome our guests again , ” said OC Fair & Event Center Chief Executive Michele Richards .
“ For now , please stay safe and healthy , and we will continue to work on future events and to follow official health directives to keep us all safe.
” Some summertime fests are hopeful they can avoid any interruptions .
In El Dorado County , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with plans for this year ’ s fair , ” which is scheduled June 18 to 21 , according to a post on the event ’ s website .
“ At this point , much of the data says the worst may pass by May , and that makes us optimistic .
We feel it is premature to alter any details as it pertains to the fair other than to say we are concentrating on how to provide the safest possible environment for all concerned .
Should anything change , we will let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t the only sizable events impacted by the pandemic .
In San Francisco , the city ’ s Pride Parade — which was celebrating its 50th anniversary — was canceled Tuesday .
The day before , San Francisco Mayor London Breed warned marijuana enthusiasts not to trek to Golden Gate Park on April 20 , the cannabis holiday known as 4/20 .
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival was supposed to have begun its first weekend of multiple concerts last Friday .
The mega-event was pushed to two weekends in October , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Los Angeles , Mayor Eric Garcetti indicated that the city may hold off on allowing big gatherings until 2021 because of the coronavirus threat , according to an internal email reviewed by The Times .
During a staff conference call this week , Garcetti — who has repeatedly told Angelenos during his nightly press briefings that it would be a mistake to reopen businesses and stores before the pandemic can be controlled — said that “ large gatherings such as concerts and sporting events may not be approved in the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman Alex Comisar confirmed the mayor ’ s comments at the meeting and said there is no timeline for Los Angeles to begin resuming large-scale events .
“ The mayor was generally referencing studies of current and historical data and best practices for safely reopening our economy , ” Comisar said .
While keeping their fingers crossed that some events will proceed as planned , organizers have seen day-to-day operations upended by the pandemic .
The Fairplex in Pomona — home of the Los Angeles County Fair — has had to postpone roughly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May and furlough about 80 % of its workforce , according to President and Chief Executive Miguel Santana .
“ We ’ re no different than anyone else or any other major venue , ” he said Wednesday .
“ We ’ re taking it day by day , trying to adapt to the information that we receive and continuing to hope for the best.
” While the plan is for the L.A. County Fair to continue — it ’ s currently scheduled Sept. 4-27 — Santana said many logistical aspects still need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be handed masks as they arrive ?
Does the Fairplex need to limit the number of people on the property at any one time ?
How do you manage lines so social distancing can be enforced ?
“ We ’ re in the business of keeping our community safe and responding to what ’ s happening locally and around the world , so we are prepared to do that again for the fair , ” Santana said .
“ At the end of the day , we will get the directive from our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we do that , and we ’ re already trying to think ahead to what that could potentially look like.
” With more than 25,000 coronavirus infections and over 800 deaths across California , some fairground properties are becoming cogs in the statewide response .
The Contra Costa County fairgrounds in Antioch is among those that will be converted into a possible care site for COVID-19 patients , officials said .
That county ’ s fair — previously scheduled May 14-17 — was canceled in mid-March .
Chief Executive Joe Brengle said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here to help the community during this time of need , and happy to work with the county of Contra Costa as we all work together to end this pandemic.
” At the Orange County fairgrounds in Costa Mesa , “ There are currently 10 temporary trailers on site that could potentially be used for emergency housing for unsheltered residents , ” according to spokeswoman Terry Moore .
“ Also , the Orange County Health Care Agency has assessed the property and is considering the use of buildings in the main mall area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should the current positive trend in the number of hospitalizations change , ” she added in an email Wednesday .
The Sheraton Fairplex Hotel is currently housing medical professionals and first responders who have been exposed to the virus or have tested positive and need to self-quarantine .
The Fairplex also is “ providing free child care for families of first responders and other essential workers , ” Santana said , and partnering with a local nonprofit to stage a drive-through food pantry on the property .
“ This is a crisis that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ The people who are exposed are our family members , our neighbors , our friends , and it doesn ’ t discriminate based on income or where you live or your race or ethnicity .
This is a universal crisis that every person on the planet is experiencing , so we felt it was important that we do everything we can to be of service in the broadest way possible.
” Times staff writers Dakota Smith and Ben Welsh contributed to this report .

The San Diego County Fair, seen here in 2017, will not be held this year.
The San Mateo County Fair has been closed to visitors only once in its 86-year history — and that was during World War II.
This year will be the second time, as the summertime staple has been scrapped amid the widening coronavirus pandemic.
“We will get through this and emerge stronger and better together,” fair Chief Executive Dana Stoehr said in a statement announcing the cancellation. “We look forward to welcoming you back as soon as the crisis is behind us.”
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San Mateo isn’t alone. Across California, county fairs — equal parts carnivals, community celebrations and commemorations of a rich agricultural legacy — are being canceled, postponed or downsized amid the pandemic.
Events ranging from the San Bernardino County Fair to the Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee have already been struck from the calendar, and state officials are warning not to expect large-scale to-dos to resume anytime soon.
“The prospect of mass gatherings is negligible at best until we get to herd immunity and we get to a vaccine,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday.
The latest domino to fall was the San Diego County Fair, which was officially postponed Tuesday until next year. The event, originally scheduled for June 5 through July 5, has drawn upward of 1.5 million visitors annually in recent years.
“The health and safety of our community takes precedence during this unprecedented time of crisis,” Del Mar Fairgrounds Chief Executive and General Manager Tim Fennell said in a statement.
A similar fate could befall the Orange County Fair, which drew nearly 1.4 million attendees last year. Its board of directors will meet April 27 to discuss whether to cancel the event, which is scheduled to run July 17 through Aug. 16.
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“When the time is right, we will be so happy to welcome our guests again,” said OC Fair & Event Center Chief Executive Michele Richards. “For now, please stay safe and healthy, and we will continue to work on future events and to follow official health directives to keep us all safe.”
Some summertime fests are hopeful they can avoid any interruptions.
In El Dorado County, it’s “full steam ahead with plans for this year’s fair,” which is scheduled June 18 to 21, according to a post on the event’s website.
“At this point, much of the data says the worst may pass by May, and that makes us optimistic. We feel it is premature to alter any details as it pertains to the fair other than to say we are concentrating on how to provide the safest possible environment for all concerned. Should anything change, we will let you know.”
Children slide down the colorful Euroslide attraction in the carnival zone of the Orange County Fair. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
County fairs aren’t the only sizable events impacted by the pandemic. In San Francisco, the city’s Pride Parade — which was celebrating its 50th anniversary — was canceled Tuesday. The day before, San Francisco Mayor London Breed warned marijuana enthusiasts not to trek to Golden Gate Park on April 20, the cannabis holiday known as 4/20.
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival was supposed to have begun its first weekend of multiple concerts last Friday. The mega-event was pushed to two weekends in October, along with the Stagecoach country music festival.
In Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti indicated that the city may hold off on allowing big gatherings until 2021 because of the coronavirus threat, according to an internal email reviewed by The Times.
During a staff conference call this week, Garcetti — who has repeatedly told Angelenos during his nightly press briefings that it would be a mistake to reopen businesses and stores before the pandemic can be controlled — said that “large gatherings such as concerts and sporting events may not be approved in the city for at least one year.”
Garcetti spokesman Alex Comisar confirmed the mayor’s comments at the meeting and said there is no timeline for Los Angeles to begin resuming large-scale events.
“The mayor was generally referencing studies of current and historical data and best practices for safely reopening our economy,” Comisar said.
While keeping their fingers crossed that some events will proceed as planned, organizers have seen day-to-day operations upended by the pandemic.
The Fairplex in Pomona — home of the Los Angeles County Fair — has had to postpone roughly 30 events from March, April and May and furlough about 80% of its workforce, according to President and Chief Executive Miguel Santana.
“We’re no different than anyone else or any other major venue,” he said Wednesday. “We’re taking it day by day, trying to adapt to the information that we receive and continuing to hope for the best.”
While the plan is for the L.A. County Fair to continue — it’s currently scheduled Sept. 4-27 — Santana said many logistical aspects still need to be ironed out.
Should guests be handed masks as they arrive? Does the Fairplex need to limit the number of people on the property at any one time? How do you manage lines so social distancing can be enforced?
“We’re in the business of keeping our community safe and responding to what’s happening locally and around the world, so we are prepared to do that again for the fair,” Santana said. “At the end of the day, we will get the directive from our county office of public health about how we do that, and we’re already trying to think ahead to what that could potentially look like.”
With more than 25,000 coronavirus infections and over 800 deaths across California, some fairground properties are becoming cogs in the statewide response.
The Contra Costa County fairgrounds in Antioch is among those that will be converted into a possible care site for COVID-19 patients, officials said. That county’s fair — previously scheduled May 14-17 — was canceled in mid-March.
Chief Executive Joe Brengle said in a statement that the facility “is here to help the community during this time of need, and happy to work with the county of Contra Costa as we all work together to end this pandemic.”
At the Orange County fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, “There are currently 10 temporary trailers on site that could potentially be used for emergency housing for unsheltered residents,” according to spokeswoman Terry Moore.
Guests enjoy a carnival ride at the L.A. County Fair in Pomona. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)
“Also, the Orange County Health Care Agency has assessed the property and is considering the use of buildings in the main mall area as a secondary plan for hospital overflow should the current positive trend in the number of hospitalizations change,” she added in an email Wednesday.
The Sheraton Fairplex Hotel is currently housing medical professionals and first responders who have been exposed to the virus or have tested positive and need to self-quarantine.
The Fairplex also is “providing free child care for families of first responders and other essential workers,” Santana said, and partnering with a local nonprofit to stage a drive-through food pantry on the property.
“This is a crisis that impacts everybody, you know?” he said. “The people who are exposed are our family members, our neighbors, our friends, and it doesn’t discriminate based on income or where you live or your race or ethnicity. This is a universal crisis that every person on the planet is experiencing, so we felt it was important that we do everything we can to be of service in the broadest way possible.”
Times staff writers Dakota Smith and Ben Welsh contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-04-15--San Francisco deploying coronavirus detectives to trace spread and help begin recovery

San Francisco city officials said Wednesday they are ramping up a contact tracing project that they hope will eventually be deployed throughout the Bay Area during the COVID-19 pandemic .
City officials said that so far 50 librarians , city workers and medical students have been trained to do the tracing .
The project will deploy an app developed by Dimagi Inc. , a for-profit software company that has been working with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Dr. Grant Colfax , San Francisco ’ s director of public health , said at a news conference that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trained in two weeks .
The city now has English- and Spanish-speaking tracers but needs to expand to workers fluent in Mandarin , Cantonese and Tagalog , he said .
These workers will contact people who have been in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 and then check in daily , either by text or telephone , to monitor symptoms .
Colfax called contact tracing “ the bedrock of good public health.
” The city is partnering with UC San Francisco on the project .
He said it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trackers — there have been instances in which people have refused — and stressed that the screening would be done confidentially and that no information would be given to immigration authorities .
“ We are not going to be asking for sensitive information or Social Security numbers or citizenship status , ” Colfax said .
“ We are asking for information that we need to ensure that person is as safe as possible.
” Mayor London Breed said at the news conference that when the time comes to consider relaxing some shelter-in-place restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protecting public health .
“ We need this contact tracing program in place so that we ’ re equipped to respond to new cases and keep the virus from spreading out of control , ” she said .
The city is increasing coronavirus testing , but there continues to be a shortage of swabs and of what Colfax called “ the gunk ” placed on the swab to stabilize the sample as it is transported to a machine .
“ The biggest barrier is the instability of the supply chain , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a regular basis how many swabs we can expect.
” Police Chief William Scott , who also spoke at the news conference , said people should not go to San Francisco for the annual April 20 , or 4/20 , celebration of marijuana .
Streets will be closed , and places where cannabis smokers have gathered in the past will be fenced off , he said .
“ If we have to cite , we will , ” he said .
“ If we have to arrest , we will.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encampments .
A city official in charge of homeless work said officials go out to these encampments regularly to explain the pandemic and to insist that tents be moved six feet apart .
But when they return to the same block the next day , a new tent has been placed in the six-foot space , the official said .

San Francisco officials hope to have 150 people trained in two weeks to track down residents who were exposed to the coronavirus and check in daily.
San Francisco city officials said Wednesday they are ramping up a contact tracing project that they hope will eventually be deployed throughout the Bay Area during the COVID-19 pandemic.
City officials said that so far 50 librarians, city workers and medical students have been trained to do the tracing. The project will deploy an app developed by Dimagi Inc., a for-profit software company that has been working with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Grant Colfax, San Francisco’s director of public health, said at a news conference that the city hopes to have 150 people trained in two weeks. The city now has English- and Spanish-speaking tracers but needs to expand to workers fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese and Tagalog, he said.
These workers will contact people who have been in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 and then check in daily, either by text or telephone, to monitor symptoms.
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Colfax called contact tracing “the bedrock of good public health.” The city is partnering with UC San Francisco on the project.
He said it was essential that the public cooperate with the trackers — there have been instances in which people have refused — and stressed that the screening would be done confidentially and that no information would be given to immigration authorities.
“We are not going to be asking for sensitive information or Social Security numbers or citizenship status,” Colfax said. “We are asking for information that we need to ensure that person is as safe as possible.”
Mayor London Breed said at the news conference that when the time comes to consider relaxing some shelter-in-place restrictions, contact tracing will be crucial to protecting public health.
“We need this contact tracing program in place so that we’re equipped to respond to new cases and keep the virus from spreading out of control,” she said.
The city is increasing coronavirus testing, but there continues to be a shortage of swabs and of what Colfax called “the gunk” placed on the swab to stabilize the sample as it is transported to a machine.
“The biggest barrier is the instability of the supply chain,” he said. “I do not know on a regular basis how many swabs we can expect.”
Police Chief William Scott, who also spoke at the news conference, said people should not go to San Francisco for the annual April 20, or 4/20, celebration of marijuana. Streets will be closed, and places where cannabis smokers have gathered in the past will be fenced off, he said.
“If we have to cite, we will,” he said. “If we have to arrest, we will.”
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The city continues to have trouble with tent encampments. A city official in charge of homeless work said officials go out to these encampments regularly to explain the pandemic and to insist that tents be moved six feet apart. But when they return to the same block the next day, a new tent has been placed in the six-foot space, the official said.


latimes--2020-04-15--72% of Long Beach coronavirus deaths are at nursing homes. The city is imposing new rules

With 72 % of Long Beach ’ s COVID-19-related deaths in nursing homes and long-term care facilities , the city on Wednesday issued a new health order that requires the institutions to immediately follow a tough set of protocols to slow the spread .
Of Long Beach ’ s 18 deaths , 13 have involved residents at a handful of the city ’ s care facilities .
Given the disproportionate number of deaths unfolding in the nursing homes , the city adopted a strict visitation policy allowing very few to enter such facilities , mandating face coverings and requiring daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Our top priority must be to protect those at highest risk of developing serious complications from COVID-19 , ” Mayor Robert Garcia said .
“ This new health order ensures that we are doing everything we can to minimize the risk of spread in long-term care facilities.
” Long-term care facilities have become the epicenter of the coronavirus throughout the nation .
Their concentration of elderly people with underlying health problems makes them exceptionally vulnerable to outbreaks .
Long Beach has reported 379 positive results , including 49 people who are hospitalized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Of those , some 84 positive cases have been confirmed at six long-term care facilities , including both residents and staff .
Echoing concerns from public health officials across California , Long Beach city officials said because of the concentrated living conditions and the nature of the services provided , long-term care facilities pose a greater challenge when it comes to preventing the spread of infection .
In nursing homes , city officials said , physical distancing is not sufficient .
The city immediately limited entry to the homes to employees , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential workers .
Visitors are immediately banned except for end-of-life visits under certain circumstances .
Daily temperature checks and coronavirus screenings are also now required for all staff members and residents along with anyone else entering the facility .
The new rules apply to any locations serving those 65 and older and extend beyond skilled nursing facilities to include chronic dialysis clinics , hospice facilities and psychiatric institutions .
The city Health Department ’ s Communicable Disease Control Program staff has been communicating regularly with the city ’ s 93 long-term care facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Public Health ’ s infection preventionists to assist , monitor and enforce proper protocols to prevent infection among older adults .

Palm trees surround a statue of Martin Luther King Jr. in Long Beach. The city has adopted a strict visitation policy limiting those who can enter nursing and long-term care facilities, mandating face coverings and requiring daily temperature screenings for staff and residents.
With 72% of Long Beach’s COVID-19-related deaths in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, the city on Wednesday issued a new health order that requires the institutions to immediately follow a tough set of protocols to slow the spread.
Of Long Beach’s 18 deaths, 13 have involved residents at a handful of the city’s care facilities. Given the disproportionate number of deaths unfolding in the nursing homes, the city adopted a strict visitation policy allowing very few to enter such facilities, mandating face coverings and requiring daily temperature screenings for staff and residents.
“Our top priority must be to protect those at highest risk of developing serious complications from COVID-19,” Mayor Robert Garcia said. “This new health order ensures that we are doing everything we can to minimize the risk of spread in long-term care facilities.”
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Long-term care facilities have become the epicenter of the coronavirus throughout the nation. Their concentration of elderly people with underlying health problems makes them exceptionally vulnerable to outbreaks.
Long Beach has reported 379 positive results, including 49 people who are hospitalized and about 190 people who have recovered. Of those, some 84 positive cases have been confirmed at six long-term care facilities, including both residents and staff.
Echoing concerns from public health officials across California, Long Beach city officials said because of the concentrated living conditions and the nature of the services provided, long-term care facilities pose a greater challenge when it comes to preventing the spread of infection. In nursing homes, city officials said, physical distancing is not sufficient.
The city immediately limited entry to the homes to employees, first responders, medical professionals or contracted essential workers. Visitors are immediately banned except for end-of-life visits under certain circumstances. Daily temperature checks and coronavirus screenings are also now required for all staff members and residents along with anyone else entering the facility.
The new rules apply to any locations serving those 65 and older and extend beyond skilled nursing facilities to include chronic dialysis clinics, hospice facilities and psychiatric institutions.
The city Health Department’s Communicable Disease Control Program staff has been communicating regularly with the city’s 93 long-term care facilities and working in partnership with the California Department of Public Health’s infection preventionists to assist, monitor and enforce proper protocols to prevent infection among older adults.


latimes--2020-04-15--Federal investigation into L.A. City Hall corruption involves downtown project

When federal prosecutors filed their latest corruption case involving Los Angeles City Hall , they filled their court filings with lurid details : a paper bag filled with cash for a council member , a bathroom meeting to discuss the alleged bribe , and insistent texts from that council member angling for the money .
What investigators did not say was who allegedly provided a $ 500,000 bribe meant for a sitting council member in order to smooth the way for a new project .
In court filings , prosecutors identified that figure only as Developer C. But numerous details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point to the project at the heart of the case : a 20-story residential tower planned at the corner of Hill Street and Olympic Boulevard in downtown Los Angeles , a Times analysis has found .
Last month , political fundraiser Justin Jangwoo Kim agreed to plead guilty to felony bribery for helping the unnamed developer arrange the alleged bribe .
Federal officials didn ’ t name the council member but provided key details in their filings that make clear that the elected official is Councilman Jose Huizar .
An attorney for Huizar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kim also features numerous details about the real estate project at the center of the alleged bribery scheme .
The Hill Street project matches those details , including when the site was purchased , when an appeal was lodged against the project and when that challenge was withdrawn .
The company seeking to develop the tower , 940 Hill LLC , has three members who have done business in L.A. ’ s Fashion District : merchant and real estate developer Dae Yong Lee , clothing manufacturer and real estate investment company member Jeong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has headed apparel companies , according to state business records .
Ariel Neuman , an attorney representing Lee , said his client “ has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
” “ We are cooperating with the government ’ s investigation and look forward to a swift resolution clearing his name , ” Neuman said .
He declined to address specific allegations in the federal filing , including references to a bag of cash .
Lee , in a phone call this week , said he is leading the Hill Street development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asked whether his business partners could have provided a bribe to a council member , Lee said , “ They would never do that.
” The Times was unable to reach Jeong Suk Kim , a second member of the company pursuing the Hill Street project , who is identified in campaign contribution records as the owner of the Maria Bonita clothing company .
Hyuk Lim , the third member of the company , did not respond to messages left at his residence .
Lee heads the Fashion District companies Joia Trading and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long list of other companies in real estate development , the restaurant industry and retail , according to state records .
Until recently , Lee was planning to remake the Little Tokyo Galleria , a multilevel shopping center owned by one of his companies , adding nearly 1,000 units of housing .
Those plans were withdrawn in October .
Lee and his companies have given to several local politicians , including council members Huizar , Herb Wesson , David Ryu , Mitch O ’ Farrell and Gil Cedillo , and Mayor Eric Garcetti @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ryu campaign returned two donations from his companies last year , after critics argued Ryu had broken a promise not to take developer contributions .
The Hill Street project was granted approval by L.A. 's planning department , and an application for building permits was turned in at the end of December .
U.S. attorney ’ s office spokesman Thom Mrozek declined to comment on whether the downtown project was the one involved in the case , but it matches key details in federal filings by prosecutors : • Prosecutors said the residential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a labor group in summer 2016 .
In August 2016 , Creed LA — an organization made up of construction trade unions — filed an appeal over the 20-story residential project on Hill Street .
• Prosecutors said a company owned by the unnamed developer had purchased the site for the residential development in 2008 .
The real estate firm 940 Hill LLC bought the Hill Street property in 2008 , according to a spokesman for the county assessor .
• Prosecutors said the planned development was in the district of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The planned Hill Street project is in Huizar ’ s district .
• Prosecutors also said that after a bribe was arranged , a city official was informed that the labor appeal had been dropped March 3 , 2017 .
Creed LA sent planning officials an email asking to withdraw its appeal on the Hill Street project March 3 , 2017 , according to records obtained by The Times .
Planning department officials say that no other appeals were dropped on March 3 , 2017 .
Only one other appeal for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the planning department .
But that challenge was over a project in L.A. 's Mid-City neighborhood , well outside Huizar ’ s district .
The site for the Mid-City project was not purchased in 2008 .
And the challenge was brought by a neighborhood group , not a labor organization .
The Times also checked other projects that were challenged by labor groups around the same time as the Hill Street project , which did not match up with other details provided by prosecutors about the development involved in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Modrzejewski did not respond to phone calls Wednesday seeking comment on the Hill Street project appeal and its withdrawal .

When federal prosecutors filed their latest corruption case involving Los Angeles City Hall, they filled their court filings with lurid details: a paper bag filled with cash for a council member, a bathroom meeting to discuss the alleged bribe, and insistent texts from that council member angling for the money.
What investigators did not say was who allegedly provided a $500,000 bribe meant for a sitting council member in order to smooth the way for a new project. In court filings, prosecutors identified that figure only as Developer C.
But numerous details in the U.S. attorney’s case point to the project at the heart of the case: a 20-story residential tower planned at the corner of Hill Street and Olympic Boulevard in downtown Los Angeles, a Times analysis has found.
Last month, political fundraiser Justin Jangwoo Kim agreed to plead guilty to felony bribery for helping the unnamed developer arrange the alleged bribe. Federal officials didn’t name the council member but provided key details in their filings that make clear that the elected official is Councilman Jose Huizar. An attorney for Huizar declined to comment.
The case against Kim also features numerous details about the real estate project at the center of the alleged bribery scheme. The Hill Street project matches those details, including when the site was purchased, when an appeal was lodged against the project and when that challenge was withdrawn.
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California Political fundraiser admits to delivering bribes in L.A. City Hall corruption probe An L.A. political fundraiser has agreed to plead guilty to a bribery charge for helping a real estate developer pay off a member of the City Council.
The company seeking to develop the tower, 940 Hill LLC, has three members who have done business in L.A.’s Fashion District: merchant and real estate developer Dae Yong Lee, clothing manufacturer and real estate investment company member Jeong Suk Kim, and Hyuk Lim, who has headed apparel companies, according to state business records.
Ariel Neuman, an attorney representing Lee, said his client “has not been charged with any wrongdoing.”
“We are cooperating with the government’s investigation and look forward to a swift resolution clearing his name,” Neuman said. He declined to address specific allegations in the federal filing, including references to a bag of cash.
Lee, in a phone call this week, said he is leading the Hill Street development project as its “managing member.” Asked whether his business partners could have provided a bribe to a council member, Lee said, “They would never do that.”
The Times was unable to reach Jeong Suk Kim, a second member of the company pursuing the Hill Street project, who is identified in campaign contribution records as the owner of the Maria Bonita clothing company. Hyuk Lim, the third member of the company, did not respond to messages left at his residence.
Lee heads the Fashion District companies Joia Trading and Joia Accessories and is associated with a long list of other companies in real estate development, the restaurant industry and retail, according to state records.
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Until recently, Lee was planning to remake the Little Tokyo Galleria, a multilevel shopping center owned by one of his companies, adding nearly 1,000 units of housing. Those plans were withdrawn in October.
Lee and his companies have given to several local politicians, including council members Huizar, Herb Wesson, David Ryu, Mitch O’Farrell and Gil Cedillo, and Mayor Eric Garcetti, according to city records. The Ryu campaign returned two donations from his companies last year, after critics argued Ryu had broken a promise not to take developer contributions.
The Hill Street project was granted approval by L.A.’s planning department three years ago, and an application for building permits was turned in at the end of December. U.S. attorney’s office spokesman Thom Mrozek declined to comment on whether the downtown project was the one involved in the case, but it matches key details in federal filings by prosecutors:
Prosecutors said the residential project involved in their case was challenged by a labor group in summer 2016. In August 2016, Creed LA — an organization made up of construction trade unions — filed an appeal over the 20-story residential project on Hill Street.
Prosecutors said a company owned by the unnamed developer had purchased the site for the residential development in 2008. The real estate firm 940 Hill LLC bought the Hill Street property in 2008, according to a spokesman for the county assessor.
Prosecutors said the planned development was in the district of the council member who was seeking the bribe. The planned Hill Street project is in Huizar’s district.
Prosecutors also said that after a bribe was arranged, a city official was informed that the labor appeal had been dropped March 3, 2017. Creed LA sent planning officials an email asking to withdraw its appeal on the Hill Street project March 3, 2017, according to records obtained by The Times.
Planning department officials say that no other appeals were dropped on March 3, 2017. Only one other appeal for a residential project was withdrawn that entire month, according to the planning department.
But that challenge was over a project in L.A.’s Mid-City neighborhood, well outside Huizar’s district. The site for the Mid-City project was not purchased in 2008. And the challenge was brought by a neighborhood group, not a labor organization.
The Times also checked other projects that were challenged by labor groups around the same time as the Hill Street project, which did not match up with other details provided by prosecutors about the development involved in the case.
Creed LA Executive Director Jeff Modrzejewski did not respond to phone calls Wednesday seeking comment on the Hill Street project appeal and its withdrawal.


latimes--2020-04-15--On the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic

From doctors and nurses to technicians and maintenance workers , many healthcare workers are finding themselves learning to do long-familiar jobs in new ways as they battle COVID-19 .
In emergency rooms and intensive care units , frontline workers have a universal observation : Caring for COVID-19 patients safely takes extreme levels of coordination .
A reporter and photographer got a close look at those efforts April 10 when Sharp HealthCare , San Diego ’ s largest health system , granted access to two of its main locations , Sharp Memorial Hospital and Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center .
Whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collecting samples from newly arrived emergency patients for testing , or monitoring blood oxygen levels at the bedside , no one works without significant backup .
Workers who enter patient rooms are under the watchful gaze of colleagues on the unit .
Emergency workers used to moving quickly from patient to patient have had to learn to slow down as they put on and take off layer after layer of protective equipment .
It ’ s not , says registered nurse and infection preventionist Cindy Stuart , just about the work of doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of healthcare worker tend to get most of the attention , the cast of characters in this particular drama is much broader .
“ None of this could be achieved without so many , our respiratory department , our lab workers , our support staff , engineering , IT , I mean everybody , ” Stuart said .
“ This could not happen without the entire multidisciplinary team .
When I hear that phrase ‘ healthcare heroes , ’ I know people think doctors and nurses , but it ’ s so much @ @ @ @ @

From doctors and nurses to technicians and maintenance employees, many healthcare workers are finding themselves learning to do long-familiar jobs in new ways as they battle COVID-19.
In emergency rooms and intensive care units, front-line workers have a universal observation: Caring for COVID-19 patients safely takes extreme levels of coordination. A reporter and photographer got a close look at those efforts April 10 when Sharp HealthCare, San Diego’s largest health system, granted access to two of its main locations, Sharp Memorial Hospital and Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center.
Whether turning sedated patients in ICU beds, collecting samples from newly arrived emergency patients for testing, or monitoring blood oxygen levels at the bedside, no one works without significant backup. Workers who enter patient rooms are under the watchful gaze of colleagues on the unit. Emergency workers used to moving quickly from patient to patient have had to learn to slow down as they put on and take off layer after layer of protective equipment.
It’s not, says registered nurse and infection preventionist Cindy Stuart, just about the work of doctors and nurses. Though those two categories of healthcare worker tend to get most of the attention, the cast of characters in this particular drama is much broader.
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“None of this could be achieved without so many, our respiratory department, our lab workers, our support staff, engineering, IT, I mean everybody,” Stuart said. “This could not happen without the entire multidisciplinary team. When I hear that phrase ‘healthcare heroes,’ I know people think doctors and nurses, but it’s so much more than that.”
Wearing personal protective equipment, nurse April Bandi cares for a patient with possible COVID-19 symptoms inside a negative-pressure isolation room Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Nurse Arnold Garcia checks Michael Weiss’ vital signs after he was admitted with possible COVID-19 symptoms at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Dr. Keith Yablonicky, center, gets help from nurse Jennifer Livengood putting on his personal protective equipment. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Nurse Sarah Barrile, left, gets help from nurse Brittney Grayson disinfecting her personal protective equipment after caring for a patient who is using a ventilator. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Nurses check the details on emergency department patients at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
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Nurse Arnold Garcia, center, gets help from a colleague in decontaminating and disinfecting his personal protective equipment after treating a patient with possible COVID-19. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Staff unload a patient who has COVID-19 symptoms at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Nurses perform an N95 respirator fit test at the new ICU wing at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Nurse Sarah Barrile cares for a patient with COVID-19 symptoms who has been placed on a ventilator. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Nurses Shauna Stanfill, left, and Arnold Garcia care for Michael Weiss at Sharp Chula Vista. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Linda Isidienu displays her visor, which has been used and cleaned repeatedly as medical staff try to preserve protective gear at the medical center. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
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Nurses stand by to aid fellow nurses working inside the negative-pressure isolation room where patients with COVID-19 symptoms are placed. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Linda Isidienu cares for an intubated patient at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center. (Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times)
A nurse gets help putting on her personal protective equipment at Sharp Chula Vista. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Reyna Gomez, left, communicates with Norah Pena and John Stanley, who are caring for a COVID-19 patient. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
From left, nurses Michael Manriquez and Linda Isidienu, and Tiffany Matthews, a respiratory therapist, carefully reposition an intubated patient. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
California 20 heartwarming photos show gratitude for healthcare workers Firefighters and law enforcement officers from L.A. to Laguna Beach express their gratitude to healthcare workers for their efforts in fighting COVID-19.


latimes--2020-04-15--Ventura County coronavirus cases creep up as officials mull easing stay-at-home order

Ventura County health officials struck a hopeful tone Wednesday , saying efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus were working even as the number of people testing positive continues to climb .
The county reported a total of 365 infections , an increase of 15 from the previous day .
The number includes 166 instances in which someone recovered , 68 cases of hospitalization and 186 cases still under active quarantine , down from 201 a day before .
The county has tested 6,500 people , “ quite a jump ” from the previous count earlier this week of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Levin , the county ’ s public health officer .
One in 20 people tested were positive for COVID-19 , he said .
Three more deaths linked to the virus were reported late Tuesday , bringing the death toll to 13 .
Two of the latest fatalities were people in their 50s , county spokeswoman Ashley Bautista said .
All of the other victims were in their 70s and 80s , and all suffered from preexisting health conditions , she said .
On Wednesday , Levin gave a racial breakdown of those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one was Latinx and the ethnicity of one was unknown .
Nine died at the hospital and four in their homes .
Despite the rise in reported cases , health officials seemed reassured that the measures the county has taken to reduce the impact of the virus are helping .
Jessica Hill , the clinical nurse manager of Ventura County Medical Center , said community residents who are following the stay-at-home order have helped give medical professionals the time they need to prepare .
Speaking at a news conference Wednesday , Levin suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could ease current restrictions as long as it does not undo the progress that ’ s been made .
He said he doesn ’ t foresee adding any further stipulations to the stay-at-home order , which was extended to May 15 .
“ We will only do that if we believe that we can do that without endangering our social distancing , ” he said , and he cautioned against stopping measures too early .
“ People seem to forget that the measures that we ’ ve taken are the reason that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think it ’ s important for us not to lose faith in those measures , ” he said .
Last week , Levin modified the county ’ s stay-at-home order to recommend that long-term care facilities move infected patients to COVID-19 holding units at hospitals to protect elderly residents .
The order also prohibits public gatherings of two or more people , with an exception for graveside funeral services with 10 or fewer people , and mandates that all essential businesses enforce social distancing protocols .
The county has not released information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resided .
But nursing homes have become centers of outbreaks across the U.S. because people over the age of 65 are among the most vulnerable .
People between the ages of 45 and 64 make up 149 confirmed cases in Ventura County , the largest age group .
There are 91 people between the ages of 25 and 44 who are infected , and 90 people over 65 .
Simi Valley has the largest number of confirmed cases , with 92 .
Oxnard has 73 cases , and Thousand Oaks has 52 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ county ’ s agricultural commissioner , issued an advisory to protect farmworkers , who are considered essential , from the spread of COVID-19 .
The suggestions include employee hygiene and social distancing measures during work and breaks .
Williams also recommended that employers provide soap or disinfectant and disposable towels and clean highly trafficked areas .
Farmworkers are among the most vulnerable populations in an economy hit hard by the virus because they often lack health insurance and don ’ t receive unemployment insurance .

John Dodson, 69, takes his 3 1/2-mile walk to the Ventura Pier on Wednesday morning as warm temperatures lured people to the beach despite coronavirus closures.
Ventura County health officials struck a hopeful tone Wednesday, saying efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus were working even as the number of people testing positive continues to climb.
The county reported a total of 365 infections, an increase of 15 from the previous day. The number includes 166 instances in which someone recovered, 68 cases of hospitalization and 186 cases still under active quarantine, down from 201 a day before.
The county has tested 6,500 people, “quite a jump” from the previous count earlier this week of about 5,800, according to Dr. Robert Levin, the county’s public health officer. One in 20 people tested were positive for COVID-19, he said.
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Three more deaths linked to the virus were reported late Tuesday, bringing the death toll to 13. Two of the latest fatalities were people in their 50s, county spokeswoman Ashley Bautista said. All of the other victims were in their 70s and 80s, and all suffered from preexisting health conditions, she said.
On Wednesday, Levin gave a racial breakdown of those who have died. Eleven were white, one was Latinx and the ethnicity of one was unknown. Nine died at the hospital and four in their homes.
Despite the rise in reported cases, health officials seemed reassured that the measures the county has taken to reduce the impact of the virus are helping. Jessica Hill, the clinical nurse manager of Ventura County Medical Center, said community residents who are following the stay-at-home order have helped give medical professionals the time they need to prepare.
Speaking at a news conference Wednesday, Levin suggested a new order in the coming days could ease current restrictions as long as it does not undo the progress that’s been made. He said he doesn’t foresee adding any further stipulations to the stay-at-home order, which was extended to May 15.
“We will only do that if we believe that we can do that without endangering our social distancing,” he said, and he cautioned against stopping measures too early. “People seem to forget that the measures that we’ve taken are the reason that we’re successful. And so, I think it’s important for us not to lose faith in those measures,” he said.
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Last week, Levin modified the county’s stay-at-home order to recommend that long-term care facilities move infected patients to COVID-19 holding units at hospitals to protect elderly residents. The order also prohibits public gatherings of two or more people, with an exception for graveside funeral services with 10 or fewer people, and mandates that all essential businesses enforce social distancing protocols.
The county has not released information on where the people who have died resided. But nursing homes have become centers of outbreaks across the U.S. because people over the age of 65 are among the most vulnerable.
People between the ages of 45 and 64 make up 149 confirmed cases in Ventura County, the largest age group. There are 91 people between the ages of 25 and 44 who are infected, and 90 people over 65.
Simi Valley has the largest number of confirmed cases, with 92. Oxnard has 73 cases, and Thousand Oaks has 52.
On Wednesday, Ed Williams, the county’s agricultural commissioner, issued an advisory to protect farmworkers, who are considered essential, from the spread of COVID-19. The suggestions include employee hygiene and social distancing measures during work and breaks. Williams also recommended that employers provide soap or disinfectant and disposable towels and clean highly trafficked areas.
Farmworkers are among the most vulnerable populations in an economy hit hard by the virus because they often lack health insurance and don’t receive unemployment insurance.


latimes--2020-04-15--Economic slowdown could hit L.A.'s budget hard next year, city controller says

Los Angeles could experience a significant drop in revenue in the upcoming budget year , fueled in large part by the financial downturn triggered by the coronavirus pandemic , City Controller Ron Galperin said Wednesday .
The city ’ s general fund — which pays for police officers , firefighters and other basic services — could see its tax revenues come in as much as $ 598 million below projections from earlier this year , depending on how long the crisis lasts , Galperin said in a memo updating city leaders on his financial projections .
Under that scenario , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in revenue of $ 160 million , an amount that would be “ very significant , ” Galperin said in an interview .
Under a more favorable economic outlook , one that has the shutdowns ending earlier , revenues could come in $ 194 million below previous projections , leaving the city with a modest increase in overall revenue .
“ We are using ranges because the economic situation is uncertain and could remain so for months , ” Galperin said in his memo .
“ It is unclear exactly when and how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled to release his budget on Monday for the fiscal year that starts July 1 .
On Monday , the mayor said there was “ no question ” that next year ’ s budget would include cuts .
A big chunk of the city ’ s developing budget woes are due to a more than 70 % drop in tourism activity , Galperin said in his memo .
For example , tax revenue from hotel beds and home sharing is currently 30 % below the projections offered a month ago , he said @

Los Angeles Controller Ron Galperin, shown with other city officials in 2015, warned Wednesday that revenue for the L.A. city budget next fiscal year could come in far lower than previously projected, due in large part to the crisis spurred by the coronavirus pandemic.
Los Angeles could experience a significant drop in revenue in the upcoming budget year, fueled in large part by the financial downturn triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, City Controller Ron Galperin said Wednesday.
The city’s general fund — which pays for police officers, firefighters and other basic services — could see its tax revenues come in as much as $598 million below projections from earlier this year, depending on how long the crisis lasts, Galperin said in a memo updating city leaders on his financial projections.
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Under that scenario, the city would experience a year-to-year decrease in revenue of $160 million, an amount that would be “very significant,” Galperin said in an interview.
Under a more favorable economic outlook, one that has the shutdowns ending earlier, revenues could come in $194 million below previous projections, leaving the city with a modest increase in overall revenue.
“We are using ranges because the economic situation is uncertain and could remain so for months,” Galperin said in his memo. “It is unclear exactly when and how our economy will rebound.”
Garcetti is scheduled to release his budget on Monday for the fiscal year that starts July 1. On Monday, the mayor said there was “no question” that next year’s budget would include cuts.
A big chunk of the city’s developing budget woes are due to a more than 70% drop in tourism activity, Galperin said in his memo.
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For example, tax revenue from hotel beds and home sharing is currently 30% below the projections offered a month ago, he said.


latimes--2020-04-15--Here is the latest list of Orange County communities with coronavirus cases

After reporting relatively few new coronavirus infections to start the week , Orange County confirmed 87 additional cases Wednesday — @ @ @ @ @ three days combined .
Health officials also announced three additional COVID-19 deaths , bringing the @ @ @ @ @ 22 .
Cumulatively , there have been 1,376 cases countywide , according to the Orange @ @ @ @ @ To date , 15,305 people have been tested countywide , including 328 since Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ people were hospitalized , and 45 of them were in intensive care .
Note : @ @ @ @ @ includes unincorporated areas .
Daily updates are preliminary and subject to change as the county @ @ @ @

Orange County first responders thank healthcare workers for their efforts to combat COVID-19 on Tuesday at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo.
After reporting relatively few new coronavirus infections to start the week, Orange County confirmed 87 additional cases Wednesday — more than in the previous three days combined.
Health officials also announced three additional COVID-19 deaths, bringing the county’s toll to 22.
Cumulatively, there have been 1,376 cases countywide, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency. To date, 15,305 people have been tested countywide, including 328 since Tuesday.
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As of Wednesday, 104 people were hospitalized, and 45 of them were in intensive care.
Age breakdown of cases:
0-17 — 25
18-24 — 109
25-34 — 232
35-44 — 200
45-64 — 542
65+ — 268
Age breakdown of deaths:
25-34 — 2
35-44 — 1
45-64 — 7
65+ — 12
California Do you know someone who has lost the battle with COVID-19? In our effort to cover this pandemic as thoroughly as possible, we’d like to hear from the loved ones of people who have died from the coronavirus.
Cases by community:
Aliso Viejo — 14
Anaheim — 156
Brea — 13
Buena Park — 50
Costa Mesa — 28
Coto de Caza — 5
Cypress — 33
Dana Point — 12
Fountain Valley — 20
Fullerton — 42
Garden Grove — 43
Huntington Beach — 92
Irvine — 105
La Habra — 31
La Palma — 12
Ladera Ranch — 9
Laguna Beach — 36
Laguna Hills — 13
Laguna Niguel — 29
Laguna Woods — 7
Lake Forest — 25
Los Alamitos — 5
Mission Viejo — 36
Newport Beach — 90
Orange — 52
Placentia — 31
Rancho Mission Viejo — 5
Rancho Santa Margarita — 12
San Clemente — 43
San Juan Capistrano — 22
Santa Ana — 134
Seal Beach — 7
Stanton — 6
Trabuco Canyon — 8
Tustin — 28
Villa Park — 6
Westminster — 24
Yorba Linda — 40
Other — 5
Unknown — 47
Note: The “other” category includes unincorporated areas. Daily updates are preliminary and subject to change as the county receives new information.


latimes--2020-04-15--Orange County reports 3 new coronavirus deaths as infections top 1,300

Orange County health officials on Wednesday reported three additional coronavirus-linked deaths , bringing the toll to 22 and ending what had been a string of days with relatively low numbers of new confirmed infections .
The county also announced an additional 87 COVID-19 cases , with the total now at 1,376 .
The number of new cases announced Wednesday was more than the previous three days combined , according to the Orange County Health Care Agency .
The county had seen a slowing in the number of infections this week — with only seven new cases reported Monday and 21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an overall downward trend is far more important than a few select data points .
“ The goal of our stay-at-home order and social distancing is to flatten the curve , so it ’ s to spread the cases out over time and , ideally , to reduce the size of the surge , ” David Souleles , director of public health services for the county Health Care Agency , said Tuesday .
Of those who have died , 12 were at least 65 years old and seven were 45 to 64 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the other was 35 to 44 .
Ten of the victims have been women and 12 men .
County officials also released a breakdown of the victims by race and ethnicity , which showed that nine of those who have died were Asian , five were white , another five were Hispanic or Latino and one was black or African American .
That information was unavailable for the remaining two victims .
As of Wednesday , 104 people were hospitalized , 45 of them in intensive care .
Countywide , 15,305 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — up 328 from Tuesday .
Approximately 58 % of those who have tested positive are at least 45 years old .

Orange County firefighters and other first responders from Laguna Beach, Santa Ana and Irvine thank healthcare workers for their efforts to combat COVID-19 at Mission Hospital on Tuesday.
Orange County health officials on Wednesday reported three additional coronavirus-linked deaths, bringing the toll to 22 and ending what had been a string of days with relatively low numbers of new confirmed infections.
The county also announced an additional 87 COVID-19 cases, with the total now at 1,376. The number of new cases announced Wednesday was more than the previous three days combined, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.
California Do you know someone who has lost the battle with COVID-19? In our effort to cover this pandemic as thoroughly as possible, we’d like to hear from the loved ones of people who have died from the coronavirus.
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The county had seen a slowing in the number of infections this week — with only seven new cases reported Monday and 21 Tuesday — although health officials emphasized that an overall downward trend is far more important than a few select data points.
“The goal of our stay-at-home order and social distancing is to flatten the curve, so it’s to spread the cases out over time and, ideally, to reduce the size of the surge,” David Souleles, director of public health services for the county Health Care Agency, said Tuesday.
Of those who have died, 12 were at least 65 years old and seven were 45 to 64. Two others were age 25 to 34, and the other was 35 to 44. Ten of the victims have been women and 12 men.
County officials also released a breakdown of the victims by race and ethnicity, which showed that nine of those who have died were Asian, five were white, another five were Hispanic or Latino and one was black or African American. That information was unavailable for the remaining two victims.
As of Wednesday, 104 people were hospitalized, 45 of them in intensive care.
Countywide, 15,305 people have been tested for coronavirus infection — up 328 from Tuesday. Approximately 58% of those who have tested positive are at least 45 years old.


latimes--2020-04-15--Will police cite me for not wearing a mask when shopping? Here's what authorities are saying

Wearing masks when shopping or doing essential business in public is now the law in Los Angeles County .
But authorities are hoping that the public will comply voluntarily .
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villaneuva and L.A. Police Chief Michel Moore aren ’ t about to cite anyone right now , but officers will offer a few words of encouragement from behind their own masks , worn to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus .
“ We are looking for voluntary compliance .
We have discussed it with all the police chiefs in the county , ” Villaneuva @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking enforcement here.
” Villaneuva , wearing his own mask , said it is about people doing the right thing for others when they are heading out to essential businesses and are around others .
Los Angeles and the county first implemented the requirement for masks to be worn on visits to essential businesses last week .
Mayor Eric Garcetti made the announcement and now his social media is filled with images of him in a black mask .
The LAPD has repeatedly said that it is cracking down on enforcement at businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but not on individual customers .
Kathryn Barger , chairwoman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors announced Tuesday that the county would begin enforcing a rule that requires residents to wear face coverings while going to essential businesses and that sheriff ’ s deputies would give warnings and , if need be , citations .
Barger took to Twitter Tuesday afternoon to remind the public that as of Wednesday the wearing of face masks at businesses was mandatory as part of the effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and some may have extra masks with them to encourage compliance.
” She said that if a situation escalates , “ a deputy may opt to issue a citation , ” and that stores can refuse service to those “ not taking precautions.
” “ We hope people voluntarily comply , ” said Michelle Vega , a spokeswoman for Barger .
“ It is our hope it doesn ’ t get down an enforcement issue.
” Villaneuva said he was not aware of her statement and that his department did not plan to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this time .
Law enforcement officials have been cracking down on others who violate stay-at-home rules .
Los Angeles City Atty .
Mike Feuer filed — including a massage parlor , smoke shop , carwash and print shop — saying they refused to shut down despite Garcetti ’ s order that such businesses do so .
It ’ s part of a larger crackdown not just on nonessential businesses but also on individuals who are going to beaches , trails and parks that are closed .
Last week , Feuer — two smoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoe store — with violating the closure order .
More than 120 citations have been to people accused of violating stay-at-home orders .
A group of Sacramento County law enforcement agencies also announced Wednesday they were cracking down .
“ While education continues to be the primary focus of all agencies when it comes to violations of the health order , law enforcement agencies in Sacramento County will now also take enforcement action on violations of the public health order that clearly put the health and safety of our communities in jeopardy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Wearing masks is now legally required of those who go to essential businesses in Los Angeles County.
Wearing masks when shopping or doing essential business in public is now the law in Los Angeles County.
But authorities are hoping that the public will comply voluntarily.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villaneuva and L.A. Police Chief Michel Moore aren’t about to cite anyone right now, but officers will offer a few words of encouragement from behind their own masks, worn to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus.
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“We are looking for voluntary compliance. We have discussed it with all the police chiefs in the county,” Villaneuva said. “We aren’t talking enforcement here.” Villaneuva, wearing his own mask, said it is about people doing the right thing for others when they are heading out to essential businesses and are around others.
California 20 heartwarming photos show gratitude for healthcare workers Firefighters and law enforcement officers from L.A. to Laguna Beach express their gratitude to healthcare workers for their efforts in fighting COVID-19.
Los Angeles and the county first implemented the requirement for masks to be worn on visits to essential businesses last week. Mayor Eric Garcetti made the announcement and now his social media is filled with images of him in a black mask. The LAPD has repeatedly said that it is cracking down on enforcement at businesses deemed by the city to be nonessential but not on individual customers.
Kathryn Barger, chairwoman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors announced Tuesday that the county would begin enforcing a rule that requires residents to wear face coverings while going to essential businesses and that sheriff’s deputies would give warnings and, if need be, citations.
Barger took to Twitter Tuesday afternoon to remind the public that as of Wednesday the wearing of face masks at businesses was mandatory as part of the effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus. She tweeted “deputies will give warnings, and some may have extra masks with them to encourage compliance.” She said that if a situation escalates, “a deputy may opt to issue a citation,” and that stores can refuse service to those “not taking precautions.”
“We hope people voluntarily comply,” said Michelle Vega, a spokeswoman for Barger. “It is our hope it doesn’t get down an enforcement issue.”
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Villaneuva said he was not aware of her statement and that his department did not plan to cite people for not wearing masks at this time.
Law enforcement officials have been cracking down on others who violate stay-at-home rules.
Los Angeles City Atty. Mike Feuer filed criminal charges against 10 businesses — including a massage parlor, smoke shop, carwash and print shop — saying they refused to shut down despite Garcetti’s order that such businesses do so.
It’s part of a larger crackdown not just on nonessential businesses but also on individuals who are going to beaches, trails and parks that are closed.
Last week, Feuer charged four stores — two smoke shops, an electronics discount store and shoe store — with violating the closure order.
More than 120 citations have been issued across San Diego County to people accused of violating stay-at-home orders.
A group of Sacramento County law enforcement agencies also announced Wednesday they were cracking down.
“While education continues to be the primary focus of all agencies when it comes to violations of the health order, law enforcement agencies in Sacramento County will now also take enforcement action on violations of the public health order that clearly put the health and safety of our communities in jeopardy,” the agencies said in a statement.


latimes--2020-04-15--Riverside County reports more than 200 new COVID-19 cases, its biggest one-day leap

With 210 additional coronavirus cases , Riverside County health officials on Tuesday reported their largest single-day increase in cases since the pandemic began .
That bring the county ’ s tally to 1,961 .
A total of 376 people , which are included in the total number of cases , have recovered from the novel virus , records show .
This comes just one day after the county reported nine COVID-19 deaths , the most it had seen in a single day .
As of Tuesday evening , the death toll remained at 50 with no new fatalities .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the road map to reopen California amid the statewide restrictions due to the COVID-19 outbreak .
The number of new cases in the state has begun slowing down more than officials expected .
As of Wednesday afternoon , there were nearly 26,000 confirmed cases in California — about 1,400 more than Tuesday , according to The Times ’ coronavirus tracker .
Despite Newsom ’ s hopeful message , Dr. Cameron Kaiser , Riverside County ’ s public health officer , said that the county — which has already implemented some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — has a long way to go .
“ It may be several more weeks and even when we are [ there ] , it will be gradual , ” he said during a news conference Tuesday afternoon .
“ It will be step by step and there will be longstanding changes in the way we live and do business.
” “ I want to make things perfectly clear to people : Don ’ t expect a lot of change , ” Kaiser added .
“ Don ’ t forget , even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I have written to date — and I certainly have no intention of doing so today — the governor ’ s orders still [ apply ] and its restrictions on nonessential activities are still enforced.
” Echoing Newsom , Kaiser said that more testing needs to be done in order for Riverside County to potentially loosen restrictions .
In the county , approximately 29,000 residents have been tested for COVID-19 between public and private sources .
This means that more than 1 % of the county population has been tested , Kaiser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still backlogged for testing by about three days , he said .
The county has the capacity to conduct about 2,200 tests a day at its four testing sites , Kaiser said .
But to keep up with health experts ’ estimates of how many tests should be conducted nationwide , the county needs to be doing about 4,000 to 8,000 tests a day , Kaiser said .
To accomplish this , Kaiser said the county needs to eliminate the backlog of testing , have the capacity to test asymptomatic individuals and continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as in skilled nursing facilities where patients are among the most vulnerable .
On Monday , the to licensed care facilities , including nursing homes , to train staffers and distribute personal protective equipment .
As of Tuesday evening , 247 people were hospitalized for COVID-19 .
Of those , 66 were in intensive care , health officials said .
Though there were concerns about running out of equipment , Bruce Barton , the county ’ s director of emergency management , said the county has a “ good amount of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acute care hospitals .
As of Monday evening , hospital beds were 60 % occupied , he said .
Of approximately 500 ventilators , 270 were available for use , and of about 360 ICU beds , more than 100 were available .
Of the 50 county residents who have died — nine women and 41 men — 28 were between the ages of 65 and 84 , with some having underlying health conditions ; nine were 85 or older ; eight were between 45 and 64 ; four were between 25 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ records show .
No further details were available .

Victor Guardavo is tested for the coronavirus at a drive-through screening center in Montclair.
With 210 additional coronavirus cases, Riverside County health officials on Tuesday reported their largest single-day increase in cases since the pandemic began.
That bring the county’s tally to 1,961. A total of 376 people, which are included in the total number of cases, have recovered from the novel virus, records show.
This comes just one day after the county reported nine COVID-19 deaths, the most it had seen in a single day . As of Tuesday evening, the death toll remained at 50 with no new fatalities.
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On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom laid out the road map to reopen California amid the statewide restrictions due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The number of new cases in the state has begun slowing down more than officials expected. As of Wednesday afternoon, there were nearly 26,000 confirmed cases in California — about 1,400 more than Tuesday, according to The Times’ coronavirus tracker .
Despite Newsom’s hopeful message, Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County’s public health officer, said that the county — which has already implemented some of the state’s strictest virus containment orders — has a long way to go.
“It may be several more weeks and even when we are [there], it will be gradual,” he said during a news conference Tuesday afternoon. “It will be step by step and there will be longstanding changes in the way we live and do business.”
“I want to make things perfectly clear to people: Don’t expect a lot of change,” Kaiser added. “Don’t forget, even if I tear up every single health order that I have written to date — and I certainly have no intention of doing so today — the governor’s orders still [apply] and its restrictions on nonessential activities are still enforced.”
Echoing Newsom, Kaiser said that more testing needs to be done in order for Riverside County to potentially loosen restrictions. In the county, approximately 29,000 residents have been tested for COVID-19 between public and private sources. This means that more than 1% of the county population has been tested, Kaiser said.
1 / 23 Riverside County medical personnel help each other with their protective gear at a drive-though coronavirus testing facility for Coachella Valley residents in Indian Wells on March 24. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 23 Medical staff carry patients’ belongings during evacuation at the Magnolia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, where 39 people tested positive for the coronavirus, on April 7. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 23 Gurpreet Singh, left, and Balwinder Sidhu deliver meal boxes at a food distribution organized by United Sikh Mission and the Sikh Community of Riverside at Sikh Gurdwara. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 4 / 23 Patients are removed from the Magnolia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Riverside on April 7 after five employees and 34 patients tested positive for the coronavirus and staff failed to show up to work. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 23 Erick Borjas uses an electrostatic disinfectant to clean the surgical ward of a medical facility in Riverside County on April 15. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 23 Protesters who want the public health orders rescinded, rally at the County Administrative Center where the Riverside County Board of Supervisors were meeting in Riverside. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 7 / 23 Residents who want public health orders rescinded attend an emergency meeting of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors at the County Administrative Center in Riverside. Type written notes are placed on chairs to keep people from sitting near each other. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 8 / 23 Traveling nurse Gail Cunningham waves thanks as residents pay tribute to her and her medical personnel during a drive-by rally honoring frontline heroes at the Emergency Room entrance to Riverside University Health System in Moreno Valley. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 9 / 23 Jesus Duenas practices his slack lining while his brother Alfred Duenas, left, does strength exercises at Fairmount Park in Riverside. They live together and said the trees help keep them 6-feet apart from anyone walking by. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 10 / 23 Javon Jones of the Antioch Church sings gospel hymns during a livestreamed Easter worship on Mt. Rubidoux in Riverside. For only the third time in 111 years, Easter service atop Mt. Rubidoux was canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 23 RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 27, 2020: Norm and Tracy Kahn enjoy eating dinner outside on a small cafe table sitting in blue chairs on their side yard during the coronavirus pandemic on April 27, 2020 in Riverside, California. ‘During this pandemic, eating outside offers us an opportunity to change surrounding and appreciate the calmness of being outdoors among trees, scents from nature and the sounds of birds, “ she said. Also adding, “Mixing up where we eat puts variety into our days and takes away the sameness of feeling trapped at home.” (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) (Gina Ferazzi/Gina Ferazzi/Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 12 / 23 Small business owner Ana Lee of Riverside created “Community Over Covid” posters for neighbors to place of their front lawns during the coronavirus pandemic. “I thought it would be uplifting,” she said on April 10. “With so many people home and taking walks in their own neighborhoods but not being able to be physically proximate to other families, the signs are a visual reminder, that neighborly wave, that we are a strong community.” (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 23 Neighbors gather to sing “Amazing Grace” on Easter Sunday on Emerson Street, a quiet cul-de-sac in Riverside, whose mayor, Rusty Bailey, had asked residents to come out of their homes to sing at noon. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 23 The Stowe family in Riverside held a role-reversal prom after a nephew’s prom was canceled because of the coronavirus. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 23 After celebrating their nephew’s canceled prom via a video feed, the Stowe family greets neighbors in Riverside while practicing social distancing. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 23 At least 30 patients and staff have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Extended Care Hospital of Riverside, a skilled nursing facility. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 23 A Palm Springs resident finds the serenity of a closed golf course the perfect place for afternoon reading during the coronavirus pandemic at Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort in Palm Springs. All the golf courses are closed in the desert communities. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 23 Shopping carts block off the parking area in front of a Best Buy store in Rancho Mirage that was open for curbside pickup only during the coronavirus pandemic on April 2. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 23 Restaurant owner Lisa Weaver takes a to-go order from a resident at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit during the coronavirus pandemic on April 3 in Rancho Mirage. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 23 Adeline Hernandez, 2, of Riverside seems perplexed by the yellow caution tape as she approaches the closed-off swing sets at Ryan Bonaminio Park in Riverside on April 3. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 23 Wearing a cat mask, Chani Beeman of Riverside shows off a roll of toilet paper she got as a bonus with her takeout order from Mario’s Place in downtown Riverside on April 3. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 23 Freddy Torres of Buena Park gets some target practice in at Riverside Indoor Shooting Range on March 31. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 23 Customers wait in line to buy guns at Warrior One Guns and Ammo during the coronavirus pandemic in Riverside on March 31. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
However, the county is still backlogged for testing by about three days, he said.
The county has the capacity to conduct about 2,200 tests a day at its four testing sites, Kaiser said. But to keep up with health experts’ estimates of how many tests should be conducted nationwide, the county needs to be doing about 4,000 to 8,000 tests a day, Kaiser said.
To accomplish this, Kaiser said the county needs to eliminate the backlog of testing, have the capacity to test asymptomatic individuals and continue responding quickly when COVID-19 cases are found, such as in skilled nursing facilities where patients are among the most vulnerable. On Monday, the county sent four specialized teams to licensed care facilities, including nursing homes, to train staffers and distribute personal protective equipment.
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As of Tuesday evening, 247 people were hospitalized for COVID-19. Of those, 66 were in intensive care, health officials said.
Though there were concerns about running out of equipment, Bruce Barton, the county’s director of emergency management, said the county has a “good amount of capacity” in all of its 17 acute care hospitals. As of Monday evening, hospital beds were 60% occupied, he said. Of approximately 500 ventilators, 270 were available for use, and of about 360 ICU beds, more than 100 were available.
Of the 50 county residents who have died — nine women and 41 men — 28 were between the ages of 65 and 84, with some having underlying health conditions; nine were 85 or older; eight were between 45 and 64; four were between 25 and 44; and one was 20, records show. No further details were available.


latimes--2020-04-15--California to provide more help for the unemployed, independent contractors and immigrants amid coro

California to provide more help for the unemployed, independent contractors and immigrants amid coronavirus

California is expanding hours at its call center that handles unemployment insurance and preparing to expedite benefits to independent contractors in response to a record number of people who are out of work and seeking government help as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom discussed the efforts Wednesday and noted that 2.7 million Californians had filed for unemployment benefits in the last month , after businesses across the state shuttered under his stay-at-home order and the economy tanked .
Newsom also announced a $ 125-million relief effort to help roughly 150,000 Californians without legal immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process , right now , of dealing with an unprecedented number of people making phone calls to our Employment Development Department , ” Newsom said .
“ We ’ re trying to process these applications and we ’ re trying to turn around those applications in real time.
” Newsom acknowledged the dire economic consequences of his efforts to curb the death toll from the coronavirus this week and unveiled a set of criteria the state intends to meet before gradually easing the restrictions and allowing businesses to begin to reopen .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling Californians come after criticism that the state is lagging behind .
Assemblyman Jim Patterson ( R-Fresno ) said Wednesday that other states , including Michigan and New York , had already begun sending out benefits to independent contractors and the self-employed .
California , he said , has acted “ way too slowly .
They are behind a lot of other states.
” Patterson said dozens of constituents had called his office seeking help .
“ I have never seen anything like this or heard the stories of fear and desperation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments came a day after state Labor Secretary Julie Su announced that a new online portal would be created in the next two weeks allowing independent contractors , gig workers and the self-employed to file documents to obtain benefits .
The new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program approved by Congress will provide up to 39 weeks of benefits retroactive to Feb. 2 for those who have lost income between that date and the week ending Dec.31 .
The program also will provide an additional $ 600 per week in benefits until July 31 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed two weeks to get the new portal up and running .
“ We know that what you need is the money in your pocket , ” Su said in a Facebook Live chat on Tuesday .
“ We are working to make sure that you receive your payments within 24 to 48 hours after you apply .
In order to do that , we need two weeks to make that system live , to test it , to ensure that it is working.
” Su urged people to be patient and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 28 .
The state Employment Development Department has received a record 2.7 million new claims for regular jobless benefits since March 12 , Newsom said .
In all of 2008 , during the Great Recession , there were 2.5 million initial unemployment claims , according to H.D .
Palmer , a spokesman for the state Department of Finance .
In January 2010 , near the end of the Great Recession , California received 92,738 new claims , said Michael Bernick , a former director of the state ’ s Employment Development Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 925,000 Californians filed unemployment insurance claims during the week that ended April 4 , 2020 .
“ Clearly , the current situation is at an entirely different scale , ” Bernick said .
To take on the unprecedented flood of new claims , agency employees will be working in shifts from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to answer calls under the changes Newsom announced Wednesday .
Su acknowledged that many people had been frustrated by the claim process , including long delays in getting through to the agency ’ s hotline for help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how long things take , ” Su said , noting that her office is shifting workers to accommodate the extended call center hours .
Newsom ’ s announcement on assistance for independent contractors could potentially provide relief to tens of thousands of workers who otherwise would be ineligible for help .
Those benefits traditionally are available only to those considered to be employees of a business , funded by a tax on employers .
Who is — and isn ’ t — considered to be an employee has been the subject of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last 18 months , culminating in Newsom signing a far-reaching new state employment law last fall .
That law , debated in the Legislature as Assembly Bill 5 , could reclassify as many as 1 million independent contractors in California as employees , an effort that doesn ’ t sit well with some freelancers across the state and app-based companies such as Uber and Lyft .
The current public health crisis began as state employment officials were in the early stages of implementing AB 5 and pursuing cases of alleged worker misclassification .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Employment Development Department has sought to shift resources into processing requests for jobless assistance .
Newsom ’ s decision means that workers who believe they have been wrongly classified as independent contractors won ’ t have to wait for a resolution of their cases , instead having access to financial assistance in the interim .
The governor said the $ 125-million relief effort for immigrants without legal status was partly funded by nonprofit organizations and would provide cash grants to individuals and families in need .
A group of 23 state assembly members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking him to create such a fund .
“ We feel a deep sense of gratitude for people that are in fear of deportation but are still addressing the essential needs of tens of millions of Californians ” in food gathering and other tasks , the governor said .
The proposal , he said , will offer $ 500 cash grants for individuals in the U.S. illegally and up to $ 1,000 for families , with applications set to be accepted starting next month .
The money will be dispersed through regional nonprofit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the country illegally , the governor said .
Only citizens and others who are in the U.S. legally are able to receive unemployment benefits or support under the new federal program for independent contractors .
“ This is a recognition of the fact that immigrants families are essential to our state , ” said Angelica Salas , executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights .
“ Their economic and labor contributions are keeping us going.
” Newsom didn ’ t offer specifics on all of the nonprofit organizations involved but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Laurene Powell Jobs , the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs , and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife , Priscilla Chan Zuckerberg .

Taryn Luna, Patrick McGreevy, John Myers

California is expanding hours at its call center that handles unemployment insurance and preparing to expedite benefits to independent contractors in response to a record number of people who are out of work and seeking government help as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gov. Gavin Newsom discussed the efforts Wednesday and noted that 2.7 million Californians had filed for unemployment benefits in the last month, after businesses across the state shuttered under his stay-at-home order and the economy tanked. Newsom also announced a $125-million relief effort to help roughly 150,000 Californians without legal immigration status.
“We are in the process, right now, of dealing with an unprecedented number of people making phone calls to our Employment Development Department,” Newsom said. “We’re trying to process these applications and we’re trying to turn around those applications in real time.”
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Newsom acknowledged the dire economic consequences of his efforts to curb the death toll from the coronavirus this week and unveiled a set of criteria the state intends to meet before gradually easing the restrictions and allowing businesses to begin to reopen.
The efforts to more quickly distribute benefits to struggling Californians come after criticism that the state is lagging behind.
Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) said Wednesday that other states, including Michigan and New York, had already begun sending out benefits to independent contractors and the self-employed.
California, he said, has acted “way too slowly. They are behind a lot of other states.”
Patterson said dozens of constituents had called his office seeking help.
“I have never seen anything like this or heard the stories of fear and desperation,” Patterson said.
Newsom’s comments came a day after state Labor Secretary Julie Su announced that a new online portal would be created in the next two weeks allowing independent contractors, gig workers and the self-employed to file documents to obtain benefits.
The new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program approved by Congress will provide up to 39 weeks of benefits retroactive to Feb. 2 for those who have lost income between that date and the week ending Dec.31. The program also will provide an additional $600 per week in benefits until July 31.
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Su said the state Employment Development Department needed two weeks to get the new portal up and running.
“We know that what you need is the money in your pocket,” Su said in a Facebook Live chat on Tuesday. “We are working to make sure that you receive your payments within 24 to 48 hours after you apply. In order to do that, we need two weeks to make that system live, to test it, to ensure that it is working.”
Su urged people to be patient and said the new portal should be operating on April 28.
The state Employment Development Department has received a record 2.7 million new claims for regular jobless benefits since March 12, Newsom said.
In all of 2008, during the Great Recession, there were 2.5 million initial unemployment claims, according to H.D. Palmer, a spokesman for the state Department of Finance.
In January 2010, near the end of the Great Recession, California received 92,738 new claims, said Michael Bernick, a former director of the state’s Employment Development Department who tracks employment data.
More than 925,000 Californians filed unemployment insurance claims during the week that ended April 4, 2020.
“Clearly, the current situation is at an entirely different scale,” Bernick said.
To take on the unprecedented flood of new claims, agency employees will be working in shifts from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to answer calls under the changes Newsom announced Wednesday.
Su acknowledged that many people had been frustrated by the claim process, including long delays in getting through to the agency’s hotline for help.
“There is disappointment about maybe how long things take,” Su said, noting that her office is shifting workers to accommodate the extended call center hours.
Newsom’s announcement on assistance for independent contractors could potentially provide relief to tens of thousands of workers who otherwise would be ineligible for help. Those benefits traditionally are available only to those considered to be employees of a business, funded by a tax on employers.
Who is — and isn’t — considered to be an employee has been the subject of a fierce battle in the state over the last 18 months, culminating in Newsom signing a far-reaching new state employment law last fall. That law, debated in the Legislature as Assembly Bill 5, could reclassify as many as 1 million independent contractors in California as employees, an effort that doesn’t sit well with some freelancers across the state and app-based companies such as Uber and Lyft.
The current public health crisis began as state employment officials were in the early stages of implementing AB 5 and pursuing cases of alleged worker misclassification.
Those efforts have slowed as the state Employment Development Department has sought to shift resources into processing requests for jobless assistance.
Newsom’s decision means that workers who believe they have been wrongly classified as independent contractors won’t have to wait for a resolution of their cases, instead having access to financial assistance in the interim.
The governor said the $125-million relief effort for immigrants without legal status was partly funded by nonprofit organizations and would provide cash grants to individuals and families in need. A group of 23 state assembly members sent a letter to Newsom last week asking him to create such a fund.
“We feel a deep sense of gratitude for people that are in fear of deportation but are still addressing the essential needs of tens of millions of Californians” in food gathering and other tasks, the governor said.
The proposal, he said, will offer $500 cash grants for individuals in the U.S. illegally and up to $1,000 for families, with applications set to be accepted starting next month.
The money will be dispersed through regional nonprofit groups with experience serving people who are in the country illegally, the governor said.
Only citizens and others who are in the U.S. legally are able to receive unemployment benefits or support under the new federal program for independent contractors.
“This is a recognition of the fact that immigrants families are essential to our state,” said Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. “Their economic and labor contributions are keeping us going.”
Newsom didn’t offer specifics on all of the nonprofit organizations involved but named a few — including those founded by Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan Zuckerberg.