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Gavin Newsom extends shelter-in-place order to entire state -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday night that the shelter-in-place order already in effect in the Bay Area and Los Angeles County will now be extended to the entire state. Amy Graff, Alyssa Pereira and Eric Ting in the San Francisco Chronicle Taryn Luna in the Los Angeles Times$ Maggie Angst in the San Jose Mercury$ Sophia Bollag in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/19/20

Half of Californians could get coronavirus, Newsom warns Trump -- Gov. Gavin Newsom warned President Donald Trump that more than half of Californians could be infected with coronavirus in the next two months. California is also seeking at least $1 billion in federal aid. JUDY LIN Calmatters -- 3/19/20

More than half of Californians could become infected with coronavirus, Gov. Gavin Newsom says to Trump -- Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday asked Congress for $1 billion in federal funds to support the state’s medical response to the novel coronavirus, which he expects will infect more than half of all Californians. Taryn Luna in the Los Angeles Times$ Michael Nowels, Maggie Angst in the San Jose Mercury$ Katie Dowd in the San Francisco Chronicle Sophia Bollag in the Sacramento Bee$ John Howard Capitol Weekly Jeremy B. White Politico -- 3/19/20

California governor: 60,000 homeless could get virus -- As worries about the spread of the coronavirus confine millions of Californians to their homes, concern is growing about those who have no homes in which to shelter. Gov. Gavin Newsom estimates up to 60,000 homeless could end up infected. Don Thompson and John Antczak Associated Press -- 3/19/20

These coronavirus patients aren’t being counted — or tested -- At a Kaiser urgent care clinic, a physician and an infectious disease specialist told the 33-year-old nonprofit executive that she “clearly” had COVID-19, but that they couldn’t spare a test to confirm the diagnosis because she was not elderly or otherwise a high-risk patient. Harriet Ryan, Soumya Karlamangla in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

Most Grand Princess passengers in quarantine refused coronavirus tests —often at federal officials’ urging -- Despite assurances from Vice President Mike Pence that all Grand Princess cruise ship passengers quarantined at Travis Air Force Base would be tested for COVID-19, The Chronicle has learned that two-thirds of them have declined, often at the encouragement of federal health officials. Matthias Gafni in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/19/20

Trump touts unproven coronavirus remedies -- President Trump, facing a national outcry over the lack of available coronavirus testing and an imminent spike in positive cases, suggested Thursday that two existing drugs may be effective remedies and said the Food and Drug Administration is fast-tracking them to market. Neither drug is a proven treatment for COVID-19, the deadly disease caused by the coronavirus, however, and neither is likely to be publicly available in the near future. Eli Stokols, Noah Bierman in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

Eviction lawsuits proceed in California despite relief for some tenants -- The wheels of the eviction process are still turning in many parts of the state, and renters remain subject to ejection for many reasons. Questions are emerging about how to handle cases not related to the pandemic. Matt Levin, Nigel Duara Calmatters -- 3/19/20

A coronavirus state of emergency in Peru has left hundreds of U.S. travelers with no way out -- While vacationing, Evelin Pineda learned Peru’s president had declared a national emergency because of the coronavirus, and she made a desperate attempt to get back home to California. Julia Barajas in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/20/20

Spread

Coronavirus: San Francisco reports 19 new COVID-19 cases, 70 total -- It had jumped from 40 on Monday to 43 Tuesday and 51 on Wednesday. Just south of San Francisco, the number of coronavirus cases San Mateo County increased to 89 with nine additional confirmations on Thursday. Evan Webeck in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/19/20

46 new coronavirus cases confirmed in LA County, total now tops 190 -- Los Angeles County health officials confirmed 46 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Wednesday, March 18, bringing the county’s total to 190 confirmed cases so far. That’s 96 cases over the past 48 hours. David Rosenfeld in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 3/19/20

L.A. County reports second coronavirus death as cases jump to 230 -- A man with an underlying medical condition became the second person to die from the novel coronavirus in Los Angeles County, officials announced Thursday, and the total number of confirmed cases rose by 40 overnight to 230. Phil Willon, Hannah Fry, Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Alex Wigglesworth in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

Second person dies in Los Angeles County from coronavirus; 230 total cases as of Thursday -- The person who died near Pasadena was between 30 and 50 years old with underlying health conditions. David Rosenfeld in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 3/19/20

Coronavirus: 3 test positive in Burlingame senior facility; 3 more quarantined -- Three residents at a Bay Area senior-living facility have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus spreading rapidly around the U.S. Evan Webeck and Thomas Peele in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/19/20

LAX coronavirus screenings are haphazard, travelers say. Experts say they’re futile -- As thousands continue to pour into LAX, many international travelers have complained about haphazard health screenings, being required to stand or sit near others who have returned from countries with known outbreaks of the coronavirus, or not being screened at all. Laura Newberry, Adam Elmahrek, Soumya Karlamangla in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

Coronavirus cases spike in Asia because of travelers from Europe, North America -- In a sign of how difficult it will be to contain the coronavirus over time, Asia is reporting spikes in new cases of the disease known as COVID-19 after weeks of relative calm. David Pierson in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

Social separation

Life in California ‘upended’ by restrictions from pandemic -- Last week most Californians were still working, freeways were congested, kids were playing baseball and soccer, restaurants and bars were serving food and drink and toilet paper supplies were, well, relatively flush. Brian Melley Associated Press -- 3/19/20

Sacramento County issues formal order for residents to stay at home as coronavirus spreads -- Sacramento on Thursday joined several other Northern California counties in formally ordering residents to remain in their homes and to only go out for essential chores - a drastic curtailment of societal functions that public health officials say is essential to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Tony Bizjak, Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks, and Marcos Breton in the Sacramento Bee$ Phil Willon, Hannah Fry, Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Alex Wigglesworth in the Los Angeles Times$-- 3/19/20

Ventura County issues coronavirus shelter-in-place order to people 75 and older -- Coronavirus cases in Ventura County rose to 13, and officials imposed a series of orders designed to slow the spread. People 75 or older have been ordered to shelter in place through April 1. The order also applies to people 70 and older with chronic disease. Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

How can you grieve without a funeral? As coronavirus restrictions become more strict, families make heartbreaking choices -- What followed for Wilson’s family were the kind of heartrending decisions about his funeral — How do you choose the few people who can attend? Can it be postponed? Should it be live-streamed? — that will become increasingly common for Americans in this uncertain new world of COVID-19. Hailey Branson-Potts, Jaweed Kaleem in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

San Francisco says bike repair shops are 'essential' and will remain open -- San Francisco’s shelter-in-place ordinance has been a bit confusing. Are cannabis dispensaries considered essential since, for many, they provide medicine? What’s included in outdoor exercise? Can you still ride your bike? Tessa McLean in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/19/20

Testing

California coronavirus testing: Is it finally getting easier to get a test? Here is what we know -- Is testing for coronavirus finally beginning to pick up? Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday said answer is yes. The state saw a 20% increase in testing in just one day as more labs come online. Phil Willon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

2 more San Diego companies get emergency approval to produce coronavirus tests -- Hologic and Quidel Corp. join Thermo Fisher in winning FDA authorization to make molecular tests for COVID-19; GenMark Diagnostics seeking federal approval. Mike Freeman in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/19/20

Groceries

Costco limits shoppers inside, won’t accept returns on coronavirus hoard -- If you’ve seen lines forming outside a local Costco, it’s because the stores are limiting the number of shoppers allowed inside, forcing the crowd to wait outside with carts ready. Store managers have told the Southern California News Group that supplies in high demand are often sold out by midday, even with the crowd controls in place. Samantha Gowen in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 3/19/20

Tips to safely shop at grocery stores in the coronavirus age -- Here are a few tips for all shoppers, regardless of age, so they can protect themselves and others from virus spread at the grocery store: Michael Nowels in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/19/20

California Economy

What small businesses need to know about L.A.'s new emergency microloans -- The $11-million loan fund is expected to serve 550 to 2,500 businesses, depending on the mix of applicants, which have at least one employee and in the retail sector can have as many as 500. The loans come with no to low interest and there is no application fee. However, applicants must meet basic underwriting criteria. Laurence Darmiento in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

Coronavirus pushes California unemployment claims to 80,000 in a day -- As the coronavirus hammers the economy, Californians are losing their jobs and racing to get unemployment benefits. The latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report shows Californians filed 58,208 initial claims for jobless benefits in the week ended March 14 — an increase of 34% in a week and up 42% vs. a year earlier. Jonathan Lansner in the Los Angeles Daily News$ Don Lee in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

‘Terrified’ Bay Area workers at ‘essential’ businesses weigh risks versus survival in shutdown -- Cash Caris couldn’t take it any longer. The shift lead at Peet’s Coffee in Campbell handed pastries and coffees to customers who were sometimes coughing — and took their cash. He brushed arms with coworkers in close quarters. All the while, he worried he was putting the sister he lives with, who has asthma, allergies and a history of catching pneumonia, at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill because of COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus. Mallory Moench in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/19/20

Unemployment claims double in 2 days in California as coronavirus takes economic toll -- California is seeing a big spike in unemployment claims as the state and nation hurtle towards the first recession in 12 years. David Lightman in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/19/20

Coronavirus closes many Bay Area hotels: ‘Worse than 9/11 or 2008’ -- The Bay Area’s once-booming hotel industry has been brought to its knees in the two weeks since the coronavirus erupted across the region, and at least eight hotels have closed temporarily. Roland Li in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/19/20

Homeboy Industries to close down temporarily amid coronavirus restrictions -- Homeboy Industries, a nonprofit helping gang members ease out of that life for 32 years in Los Angeles, has temporarily shut down as a result of restrictions intended to halt the spread of coronavirus. Priscella Vega in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

On Catalina Island, concern yet calm as coronavirus threatens tourism economy -- The busy season was supposed to begin this week in Catalina, where the economy is wholly dependent on visitors. Instead, the island is already feeling the effects of a nationwide call by local, state and federal leaders to stay home for at least two weeks to lessen the spread of COVID-19. Gustavo Arellano in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

Also

‘We did not ask for this’: Sacramento-area teens face canceled proms, trips over coronavirus -- When Breeana Hall heard from her choir teacher that her Rocklin High School choir was invited to perform at the internationally renowned Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, she was “beyond herself,” her mother, Shelly Marks, said. Sawsan Morrar and Joe Davidson in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/19/20

If I become infected with the coronavirus, what are my odds of survival? -- Left unchecked, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 could infect billions of people. By one estimate, up to 70% of the world’s population may contract the disease. That means there’s an excellent chance that, sooner or later, you will be one of them. David Pierson in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

Some California cities suspend public records requests because of coronavirus -- The city of Fresno suspended “immediate responses” to public records requests on Tuesday after the city declared a state of emergency, according to an email from the city attorney’s office. The city will resume responding to requests once the emergency declaration ends. Ben Poston in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

Fox: Covering School Funding in Time of Crisis -- The COVID-19 crisis has interfered with many functions that could result in long-term changes. At-home workers might become more plentiful after the crisis passes (perhaps even helping to solve the problem of crowded freeways); limited sports seasons may lead to fewer games in the future on basketball and baseball schedules; and even consideration of California’s school funding through Average Daily Attendance might get a second look. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 3/19/20

Political fundraiser admits to delivering bribes in L.A. City Hall corruption probe -- A political fundraiser has agreed to plead guilty to a federal bribery charge for helping a real estate developer pay off a Los Angeles City Councilmember to clear the way for a major development project. Joel Rubin, David Zahniser, Laura J. Nelson in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

 

California Policy & Politics This Morning  

Could coronavirus collide with wildfire season? California is preparing for it -- Northern California may still be grappling with the novel coronavirus outbreak when it begins to face the more familiar threat of dangerous wildfires, and emergency officials are already contemplating that possibility. J.D. Morris in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/19/20

Sen. Kamala Harris ‘very concerned’ about coronavirus and wildfires -- In an interview with The Chronicle on Wednesday, the junior Democratic senator from California said she had recently raised the issue with Peter Gaynor, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Harris wanted to know how FEMA would respond if the new virus remained a major public health threat when another potential emergency, including a California wildfire or earthquake, arises. J.D. Morris in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/19/20

Coronavirus and voting: California counties looking at all-mail elections -- A planned Palo Alto school election has fallen victim to the coronavirus, and a pair of May elections elsewhere will force California officials to decide whether safety or tradition will rule the day when it comes to voting during a pandemic. John Wildermuth in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/19/20

Walters: California also faces economic hit -- Gov. Gavin Newsom’s engaged, steady-hand-at the-tiller approach to managing California’s slice of the global coronavirus pandemic is winning well-deserved plaudits. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 3/19/20

Coronavirus

Coronavirus hitting California’s homeless population could be what finally breaks hospitals -- The catastrophic potential is painful to consider: State models show that 60,000 homeless people could be hit by the novel coronavirus, with up to 20% of them needing hospitalization. Anita Chabria in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

Homeless shelter tenants tested for COVID-19 -- Two of San Diego County’s largest homeless service providers had scares of an outbreak at their shelters this week when some of their clients were hospitalized and tested for COVID-19. Officials at the Alpha Project and Father Joe’s Villages learned late Wednesday that tests of their clients had come back negative. Gary Warth in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/19/20

Coronavirus and homelessness: California buying 1,300 trailers, leasing hundreds of hotel rooms -- Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Wednesday sending $100 million to local governments for shelter support and emergency housing. The state will use the other $50 million to buy 1,309 travel trailers and to lease hotel and motels rooms to quarantine homeless people who show symptoms of coronavirus. Alexei Koseff in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/19/20

L.A. to add 6,000 shelter beds for homeless Angelenos in hopes of slowing virus’ spread -- Los Angeles will convert 42 of its recreation centers into temporary shelters for homeless residents, providing 6,000 new beds in an effort aimed at slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus, Mayor Eric Garcetti said Wednesday. David Zahniser, Laura J. Nelson, Dakota Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

 

California hits 17 deaths as L.A. County confirms 46 new coronavirus cases -- With nearly 9 million Californians living under orders to stay home as much as possible, state and county leaders are preparing for what could be next in the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday evening said the state has asked the Department of Defense to deploy the Navy’s Mercy hospital ship and two mobile hospitals to California to help care for the expected surge in hospitalizations of residents stricken by the novel coronavirus. Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Colleen Shalby, Howard Blume, Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

Hospitals could face severe shortages of nurses, beds and blood. How California is responding -- California is facing the frightening prospect of local hospitals overwhelmed by thousands of patients with COVID-19 in the coming weeks, as they confront potentially severe shortages of ventilators, bed space, donated blood, respirators and nurses. Jason Pohl, Michael Finch II, and Ryan Sabalow in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/19/20

Will COVID-19 patients overwhelm Bay Area hospitals? -- Across the region and California as a whole, medical experts and elected officials are now bracing for a shortage of beds, equipment — like ventilators — and a lack of nurses and other medical professionals. But hospitals are emphasizing their flexibility in responding to the shifting landscape. Emily DeRuy in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/19/20

How overwhelmed is California’s health care system about to be? -- As the death toll from the coronavirus pandemic mounted Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom prepared Californians for an unprecedented ramp-up of the hospital system, saying the state is procuring hotels and motels, bringing decommissioned hospitals back online and asking federal officials for two mobile hospitals and a naval hospital ship with 1,000 beds. Rachel Becker, Ana B. Ibarra, Judy Lin Calmatters -- 3/19/20

Battling coronavirus, California asks Navy for hospital ship and two mobile hospitals -- Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday that the state has asked the Department of Defense to deploy the Navy’s Mercy hospital ship and two mobile hospitals to California to help care for the expected surge in hospitalizations of residents stricken by the novel coronavirus. Phil Willon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

Coronavirus: Elon Musk vows to ‘make ventilators if there is a shortage’ -- Elon Musk on Wednesday night said he will “make ventilators if there is a shortage” due to the coronavirus pandemic. The statement came in response to a tweet asking Musk to repurpose the Tesla factory in Fremont to manufacture the machines, which are vital to the treatment of patients critically ill with the deadly respiratory disease. Jason Green in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/19/20

Coronavirus: ‘We have your results … We have to separate you now’ -- Gene Qin and his wife, Diana, both in their 70s and former passengers on the ill-fated Grand Princess cruise ship, had been waiting with dread in their quarantined room at the Fairfield Inn. Julia Prodis Sulek in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/19/20

Where California Stands with Coronavirus Testing Right Now -- Coronavirus testing has been plagued by confusion, delays and chaos, with the number of available, usable tests far outstripped by the need. The situation, health care providers and experts say, has impaired their ability to know how many people have the virus — but a significantly larger number, they suspect, than that confirmed by state and federal officials. Rachel Becker and Ana B. Ibarra KQED -- 3/19/20

 

Coronavirus cases in Orange County jump to 42; officials clarify restrictions -- Orange County had 42 confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday up from 29 on Tuesday. Orange County Health officer Dr. Nichole Quick said she anticipated that number would increase. “The more we look for this, the more we’re likely to find, so increasing cases are not unexpected,” Quick said. Jaclyn Cosgrove, Anh Do in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

With 20 new cases reported in one day, the worst of the COVID-19 storm may be upon us -- Confirmed COVID-19 case counts jumped 33 percent in the latest report Wednesday, prompting public health officials to warn of a worsening trend in San Diego County. Paul Sisson, Lyndsay Winkley in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/19/20

Here are the communities in L.A. County with coronavirus cases -- There was another spike in coronavirus cases in Los Angeles on Wednesday, and officials had a warning to go along with the numbers. “We’re going to see an increase in positive cases today, tomorrow and for the foreseeable future,” L.A. County Public Health Department Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer said. “We cannot stop the spread of COVID-19. All of our strategies are aimed at slowing the spread.” Colleen Shalby, Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

Pentagon readies San Diego hospital ship and tent hospitals to help with coronavirus -- No decision has been made about where to send the Mercy, a 1,000-bed hospital ship, Pentagon press secretary Jonathan Hoffman told reporters Wednesday. It would probably be ordered to Seattle or another West Coast port to care for non-coronavirus patients, freeing up civilian hospital beds for victims of the infectious disease. David S. Cloud in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

Another USS Boxer sailor and a Miramar Marine latest to test positive for COVID-19 -- Military members assigned to the amphibious assault ship Boxer and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar are the latest in San Diego County to test positive for COVID-19, officials said Wednesday. As of Wednesday afternoon, nine area service members have tested positive, military officials say. Andrew Dyer in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/19/20

 

California DMV bans walk-in visits, suspends driving tests to limit coronavirus spread -- The California Department of Motor Vehicles is suspending walk-in visits and immediately canceling all behind-the-wheel driving tests for the next 30 days as part of its response to the coronavirus pandemic. Andrew Sheeler in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/19/20

Coronavirus: Safeway, Target, Whole Foods, Zanotto’s launch seniors hours to combat hoarding, supply woes -- San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo joined with Safeway executives Wednesday to announce a plan crafted to combat hoarding by offering special hours twice weekly so senior citizens can more easily shop at the supermarket giant’s Bay Area stores amid the coronavirus panic. The special shopping hours at Safeway will occur every Tuesday and Thursday, starting Thursday of this week, and last until 9 a.m. on those weekdays, officials said. George Avalos in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/19/20

The order on coronavirus may be to shelter in place, but people finding excuses to get outside -- The near total lockdown of the Bay Area is not particularly airtight, as anyone who has stepped outside for a hike, a jog, a trip to the dog park or grocery store has found out. There are people out there, sometimes a lot of people. Peter Fimrite and Sarah Ravani in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/19/20

Ramada hotel in Kearny Mesa turned into COVID-19 quarantine site for Grand Princess passengers -- A Ramada hotel in Kearny Mesa has been tapped as a quarantine site for cruise ship passengers housed at the nearby military base and who have or may have the coronavirus, officials said Wednesday. Teri Figueroa in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/19/20

Coronavirus: Bay Area shelter-in-place orders prompt questions, enforcement as case numbers continue to rise -- Many in the region wrestled with tough questions about the gray areas in the pages-long orders designed to combat the spread of coronavirus. Officials and law enforcement shut down businesses from a gun shop in San Jose to a bar in El Sobrante to a pool-cleaning business in Marin, while some counties concluded that bike shops were essential enough to keep their doors open. Casey Tolan, Maggie Angst, Angela Ruggiero and Leonardo Castañeda in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/19/20

Can you leave your county if a shelter-in-place order is in effect in the Bay Area? -- Does this mean you could leave your county to go to the grocery store, to go on a hike, or to head out of town entirely if you're lucky enough to own a vacation home? In regards to leaving your home under an order, they say travel out of the county is allowed "only to perform 'essential activities,' operate 'essential businesses,' or to maintain 'essential governmental functions,' as those terms are defined in the Order. Otherwise, the answer is 'no' because that travel puts you and others in the community at risk.” Amy Graff in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/19/20

The coronavirus is changing life in California. These 20 photos show how -- Here’s a visual look at how life has changed in the Southland. The item is in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

‘We are being punished’: Some Californians from Grand Princess question quarantine -- With much of the state being asked to stay at home, questions are being raised about the forced quarantine imposed on hundreds of Californians from the Grand Princess cruise ship who continue to be held at military bases, even as passengers from other states are released. “My feeling is a lot of it has to do with optics,” said Kate Gilbert, whose 82-year-old grandmother Hinda Gilbert is at Travis Air Force Base in Solano County. Anita Chabria in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

‘I’ve never seen the O.C. so quiet.’ Coronavirus slows Orange County life to a crawl -- In Huntington Beach, Sandy Lopez cut a lonely figure along the boardwalk, where on Wednesday, before cooking dinner with family members at home in Santa Ana, she sneaked out, escaping to the ocean for a long-awaited walk. Anh Do in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

Amazon taught us to rely on fast delivery. In coronavirus era, it can’t keep up -- Amazon.com Inc. and other major retailers have spent years teaching Americans to order online and expect same-day or one-day deliveries. Now that the coronavirus outbreak has pushed people nationwide into their homes and away from crowds, online orders have surged, and the companies can’t keep up. James F. Peltz, Emmanuel Morgan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

 

3 confirmed coronavirus cases at Redondo Beach assisted living facility -- One resident and two staff members at a South Bay assisted living facility, Kensington Redondo Beach, have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, administrators said Wednesday. Matt Hamilton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

Nursing home staff spread coronavirus to other facilities, CDC investigation finds -- Staff members at the Seattle-area nursing home overrun by COVID-19 spread the coronavirus to other facilities where they worked, an investigation led by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found. Richard Read in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

‘Safer in Korea:’ Bay Area resident finds lack of testing, health checks in US coronavirus response -- For Pamela Baker, a former San Jose resident living in South Korea, coming back to the Bay Area was a shock after experiencing the widespread testing, masks and health checks she said helped keep the virus under control in that country. South Korea reported 93 new cases on Wednesday, down from a peak of 909 on Feb. 29. Leonardo Castañeda in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/19/20

Younger Adults Make Up Big Portion of Coronavirus Hospitalizations in U.S. -- American adults of all ages — not just those in their 70s, 80s and 90s — are being seriously sickened by the coronavirus, according to a report on nearly 2,500 of the first recorded cases in the United States. Pam Belluck in the New York Times$ -- 3/19/20

 

Coronavirus makes California census count more crucial, and more challenging -- Across California, grassroots groups looking to amp up census participation among historically hard-to-count communities have hit a snag: how to reach people at a time when many are self-quarantining to stem the spread of the pandemic. Sarah Parvini in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

How can you grieve without a funeral? As coronavirus restrictions become more strict, families make heartbreaking choices -- Across the country, funeral directors said the rapid spread of the disease and shutdowns of public gatherings had upended their work and left grieving families at a loss. Hailey Branson-Potts, Jaweed Kaleem in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

 

Economy, Employers, Jobs, Unions, Pensions  

Disneyland coronavirus closure could cost Southern California economy $400 million -- The unprecedented closure of Disneyland due to the coronavirus outbreak could have a $400 million impact on the Southern California economy while reducing visitor traffic at hotels and restaurants near the Anaheim theme park and slashing city bed tax revenues. Brady MacDonald in the Orange County Register -- 3/19/20

Dozens of California agencies consider sending workers home to combat coronavirus -- At Gov. Gavin Newsom’s urging, businesses around the state have closed their doors and sent employees home to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus. But one of the largest employers was slow to offer its workforce clear guidance on who should be working remotely: the state of California. Melody Gutierrez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

‘This is like having a fire, almost every day:’ Bay Area safety net agency struggles to keep up amid coronavirus outbreak -- The City of Sunnyvale is now recruiting city staff members to volunteer for the organization’s food distribution, providing a case study of a city's rapid-fire response. Erica Hellerstein Calmatters -- 3/19/20

Two San Fernando Valley shopping malls will close to stem spread of coronavirus -- Mall operator Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield said Wednesday, March 18, it will shut down all U.S. malls, including shopping centers in Canoga Park and Sherman Oaks, aiming to slow down the coronavirus pandemic. Olga Grigoryants in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 3/19/20

A second major Sacramento-area shopping center closes due to the coronavirus pandemic -- Folsom Premium Outlets, one of the Sacramento area’s major shopping centers, announced it was shutting down Wednesday evening because of the coronavirus pandemic. The outlet mall became the second major shopping center in the region to shutter to stop the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Arden Fair mall in Sacramento announced late Tuesday it was closing until further notice. Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/19/20

Coronavirus: San Jose orders gun store to close in one of first enforcement against businesses open under shelter order -- As Bay Area business owners navigated the labyrinthine rules of the sweeping shelter-in-place order implemented Monday, many gun dealers across the region opted to stay open this week, amid a spike in sales apparently driven by fears over the coronavirus pandemic. Robert Salonga in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/19/20

Tesla factory cutting workforce, but staying open amid coronavirus shelter-in-place order -- Tesla's main factory in Fremont has remained open despite an Alameda County shelter-in-place order exempting only "essential" businesses, but on Wednesday, county officials stated the factory will dramatically cut its workforce. Eric Ting in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/19/20

Orange County restaurateurs are getting into the grocery business, selling staples and meal kits -- In light of Orange County’s prohibition of dine-in service to help prevent spread of the novel coronavirus, some restaurateurs are selling or giving away groceries. Chefs and restaurateurs began sending announcements to the news media and posting plans on Facebook and Instagram. They’re finding new ways to serve the public and/or make a buck. Anne Valdespino in the Orange County Register -- 3/19/20

Coronavirus creates new challenges for Bay Area police, firefighters -- Firefighters and police officers are continuing their regular public safety duties while taking on new roles. And some have already been hit by the virus, including at least 10 firefighters in San Jose and police officers in Santa Clara, New York City and Cleveland. J.K. Dineen and Megan Cassidy in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/19/20

Town of Truckee tells visitors: Please come see us later, not now -- On the Facebook page for Visit Truckee they posted a note that reminds visitors that “the consequences of COVID-19 in the small town would be devastating” to the town’s “excellent but limited” health care system. There’s already one confirmed case of the virus, and that person is under self-quarantine. Linda Zavoral in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/19/20

‘I just want to be on American soil:’ Bay Area residents trapped around world amid coronavirus lockdowns -- When Tessa Matsis Smith from Sacramento and a group of friends flew to Morocco for vacation in early March, the new coronavirus seemed like a distant threat they could ignore. Tatiana Sanchez and Trisha Thadani in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/19/20

Transit  

BART cuts extra rush-hour trains with ridership down almost 90 percent -- Starting Thursday, BART will no longer run the extra trains it has provided during the normally jam-packed morning and afternoon commute hours on the Antioch-to-SFO “yellow line,” because those crowds have disappeared. As a result, trains will arrive every 15 minutes all day on the line. Nico Savidge in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/19/20

Housing  

Citing coronavirus, homeless families seize 12 vacant homes in L.A.: ‘We have to do this’ -- A group of homeless and housing-insecure Angelenos seized more vacant, publicly owned homes in El Sereno on Wednesday, arguing that government officials have failed to provide the shelter that’s necessary for them to remain healthy during the coronavirus pandemic. Liam Dillon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

Education 

With confused state guidance, shuttered schools flailing to figure out how to teach -- On Monday, San Francisco teacher Mark Rosenberg was trying to ramp up remote learning for his third-grade class — creating lesson plans for all subjects, translating assignments into two languages, putting them online and figuring out how to test students to see if they were learning the material. Jill Tucker in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/19/20

LAUSD packs 400,000 meals, prepares for months of ‘grab-and-go.’ Recipients express relief -- As students and parents woke up to news that public schools in California might be closed for the remainder of the school year, Los Angeles school officials opened campus gates to what they said would be the first of many morning food pickups in the weeks and possibly months ahead. Howard Blume, Rosanna Xia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

Games, videos, cooking classes and algebra online for housebound families -- With nearly 6 million children in California forced to stay home during coronavirus school closures, keeping them occupied and learning can be a challenge. Public, private and nonprofit agencies offer a wide array of free resources for educators and families. Jill Tucker in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/19/20

San Diego college students grab luggage and flee ahead of move-out order -- The University of San Diego decided Tuesday night to move students out of campus housing by late Wednesday, four days ahead of schedule. UC San Diego also abruptly announced move-out plans — during final exams. Cal State San Marcos made a similar request. So did Point Loma Nazarene University, a school where the pace of life is so slow that such a request seemed inconceivable. Gary Robbins in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/19/20

At Stanford and other private colleges, coronavirus is forcing thousands to evacuate -- At 5 p.m. Wednesday, hundreds of students were forced to leave Stanford University, an effort by one of California’s most prestigious academic institutions to stem the coronavirus outbreak and adhere to Santa Clara County rules banning gatherings of more than 50 people. Susanne Rust, Paloma Esquivel, Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

San Diego college students grab luggage and flee ahead of move-out order -- The University of San Diego decided Tuesday night to move students out of campus housing by late Wednesday, four days ahead of schedule. UC San Diego also abruptly announced move-out plans — during final exams. Gary Robbins in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/19/20

UCLA seniors ‘devastated’ as campus cancels traditional graduation ceremonies -- The announcement devastated many seniors, who said they feel robbed of the joyous capstone to their college journey. Already, students are circulating at least three petitions signed by thousands of people urging UCLA officials to reverse what they regard as a premature decision, said Victoria Solkovits, a student leader and senior majoring in political science and human biology and society. Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

Audit finds troubling errors in UC admissions, in wake of Varsity Blues scandal -- At the University of California, one campus admitted an applicant to a coveted slot for top athletes who then never appeared on the team roster after enrolling. Another campus accepted a homespun computer printout as proof of an applicant’s equestrian talents. A third inexplicably let an applicant use his musical track record as proof that he’d won a science award. Nanette Asimov in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/19/20

University of California retreats from tuition increase plan — at least for now -- Declaring that it would be unseemly to raise tuition during the current national health emergency, leaders of the ten-campus University of California system on Wednesday withdrew their proposal to increase costs for the next five incoming freshmen classes. Larry Gordon EdSource -- 3/19/20

California school districts learn more about what state expects during a long shutdown -- Gov. Gavin Newsom advised school districts on Tuesday that they should expect to be closed the rest of the school year. On Wednesday, educators began Day 1 of that new and, for some, shocking reality with a 75-minute webinar led by the California Department of Education, viewed by about 7,000 people, on how to provide distance learning, meals for students and limited child care while schools are shut down because of the coronavirus. John Fensterwald EdSource -- 3/19/20

California child care providers call for emergency support amid coronavirus pandemic -- As schools and businesses close across California to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus, child care providers are calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to provide emergency support to stay in business during the coronavirus pandemic. Zaidee Stavely EdSource -- 3/19/20

California colleges and universities respond to the coronavirus: a quick guide -- California community college chancellor said colleges should expect disruptions until at least June and possibly into the fall. Ashley Smith, Michael Burke, and Larry Gordon EdSource -- 3/19/20

Immigration / Border 

Facing criticism, ICE will reduce enforcement actions amid coronavirus pandemic -- Facing criticism from across the country for continued enforcement actions amid the coronavirus pandemic, ICE said Wednesday that it would shift its focus to “public safety risks.” Brittny Mejia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

Also . . . 

The line at this Costco begins at 2:55 a.m. as coronavirus spooks shoppers -- When Shannon Davis arrived at a Costco in Hawthorne on Wednesday, 2 hours and 15 minutes before its doors opened, the sun had not yet risen and about 30 people were already in line. Matthew Ormseth in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

BottleRock Napa Valley postponed until fall due to coronavirus -- BottleRock Napa Valley, one of Northern California’s most popular music festivals, has been postponed due to ongoing concerns over the coronavirus. The new dates for the sold-out three-day festival, originally set to take place over Memorial Day weekend, are Oct. 2-4. Jim Harrington in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/19/20

Woman who flew from U.S. to China for coronavirus test faces criminal charges -- A woman who flew last week from Massachusetts to Los Angeles — then to Beijing, where she tested positive for coronavirus — is under investigation on allegations of concealing her symptoms and putting fellow travelers at risk of infection. Alice Su in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/19/20

Coronavirus leads to ‘an angel at my door’ in Marin County -- Mary Aversano’s doctors told her two years ago that she had about a year left to live. Her cancer is metastatic, spread from the uterus to the liver and lungs. Still, at 76, the San Rafael woman is mobile enough to get out of the house a few times a week — “It’s a rotten disease,” she said, “but I’m not going to let it get me” — and she did her own grocery shopping until recently, when the new coronavirus began to spread. Jason Fagone in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/19/20

POTUS 45  

Trump invokes rare powers to combat coronavirus outbreak he previously downplayed, calling it ‘war’ -- President Trump invoked rarely used wartime powers and announced the deployment of two naval ships Wednesday as he tried to boost the federal response to the coronavirus outbreak after days of bureaucratic delays and missteps. Toluse Olorunnipa, Nick Miroff and Dan Lamothe in the Washington Post$ -- 3/19/20

Trump team’s new mission: Defend the ‘wartime president’ -- Slammed by a threat he called “totally under control” in January, Trump is trying to re-brand his presidency and campaign just before an election. Gabby Orr and Lara Seligman Politico -- 3/19/20

Trump Seeks $500 Billion in Checks for Taxpayers -- The Trump administration on Wednesday broadened the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and spelled out the first details of a $1 trillion economic package, asking Congress for an infusion of $500 billion for direct payments to taxpayers and $500 billion in loans for businesses. Nicholas Fandos and Emily Cochrane in the New York Times$ -- 3/19/20

Kushner coronavirus team sparks confusion, plaudits inside White House response efforts -- Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law and a senior adviser, has created his own team of government allies and private industry representatives to work alongside the administration’s official coronavirus task force, adding another layer of confusion and conflicting signals within the White House’s disjointed response to the crisis. Yasmeen Abutaleb, Ashley Parker and Josh Dawsey in the Washington Post$ -- 3/19/20

Beltway 

GOP senator says only small percentage of population might die of coronavirus -- As President Trump cast the nation’s battle against the coronavirus as war, one high-ranking Republican senator seemed to play down the gravity of the pandemic, saying the number of Americans who might die would be 3.4 percent of the population at most. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, called covid-19 a “nasty disease” that is devastating to those who contract it. Colby Itkowitz in the Washington Post$ -- 3/19/20

America Needed Coronavirus Tests. The Government Failed -- When cases of the new coronavirus began emerging several weeks ago in California, Washington state and other pockets of the country, U.S. public-health officials worried this might be The Big One, emails and interviews show. The testing program they rolled out to combat it, though, was a small one. Christopher Weaver, Betsy McKay and Brianna Abbott in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 3/19/20

 

-- Wednesday Updates 

Where California stands with coronavirus testing right now -- Gov. Gavin Newsom says help is on the way to ramp up testing for the coronavirus, which has lagged nationally. So where are we now? Who can get tested for COVID-19, who should — and where exactly should you go? If you do get a test, will it be expensive? Here’s what you need to know. Rachel Becker, Ana B. Ibarra Calmatters -- 3/18/20

Three residents of Elk Grove senior home where woman died have tested positive for coronavirus -- Three residents of an Elk Grove senior living facility have now tested positive for the new coronavirus, according to an email sent to family members obtained by The Sacramento Bee. Theresa Clift in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/18/20

Bay Area hospitals scramble to prepare for wave of coronavirus cases -- Health care facilities in the region are trying to conserve masks and other equipment that are already in short supply as the new coronavirus spreads. They’ve canceled elective procedures and routine medical appointments. Erin Allday, Trisha Thadani, Catherine Ho and Peter Fimrite in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/18/20

Hospitals are straining under the coronavirus. The big wave coming could break them -- The new coronavirus threatens to overwhelm California hospitals in the coming weeks unless the unprecedented social-distancing measures imposed across the state slow its rapid spread. Anita Chabria, Matt Stiles, Soumya Karlamangla in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/18/20

Yes, the U.S. government stockpiles ventilators; no, it likely won’t be enough -- President Trump says the federal government has stockpiled “massive numbers of ventilators” and “tremendous amounts of equipment” to help hospitals respond to a crush of seriously ill coronavirus patients. The problem, experts say, is that the government’s cache of supplies probably won’t be nearly enough to satisfy the demand. Del Quentin Wilber in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/18/20

L.A. County confirms 46 new coronavirus cases as deaths in California rise to 17 -- L.A. County confirmed Wednesday 46 new cases of the coronavirus, including eight in Long Beach and two in Pasadena. The new cases brings the county’s total to 190. Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Colleen Shalby, Howard Blume, Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/18/20

Orange County imposes unprecedented restrictions as coronavirus cases hit 29 -- Orange County’s more than 3 million residents awoke to sweeping new restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus. The county now has 29 confirmed cases of coronavirus. There have been no deaths in the county. Luke Money, Cindy Carcamo, Hillary Davis, Lilly Nguyen in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/18/20

Yolo orders mandatory shelter-in-place, day after county reports 2 new coronavirus cases -- Yolo County is ordering its residents to shelter in place for nearly three weeks in an effort to slow the coronavirus pandemic. The county and its public health officer in a statement said the order, which “limits activity, travel and business functions to only the most essential needs,” goes into effect Thursday and will last through at least April 7. Businesses not defined as essential must temporarily close. Michael McGough and Tony Bizjak in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/18/20

Sacramento-area counties issue ‘stay at home’ orders in COVID-19 outbreak. Here are the rules -- The directive, which has the backing of top county and city leaders, is dramatic and sweeping. Tony Bizjak in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/18/20

With three coronavirus deaths in area, Palm Springs issues shelter-in-place order -- Faced with three coronavirus deaths in the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs has issued a shelter-in-place order in an effort to slow the virus’ spread. The city in a press release said its order is modeled on the one in effect in San Francisco. There have been 18 coronavirus cases confirmed in Riverside County. Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Jaclyn Cosgrove in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/18/20

Long Beach VA patient tests positive for coronavirus; hospital closes to visitors -- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Long Beach has been closed to visitors while the facility treats a patient who has tested positive for COVID-19, officials said. Luke Money in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/18/20

COVID-19 outbreak in San Jose fire department may be early sign of danger for first responders -- When it comes to the front line for the coronavirus, the San Jose firefighters are experiencing what officials fear will become a common problem among first responders. So far, 10 firefighters have tested positive for COVID-19 and 50 others are in self-isolation. Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/18/20

What are the coronavirus restrictions in my community? A guide for Southern California -- Southern California has taken sweeping measures this week to stop dine-in restaurant eating, close gyms and movie theaters, and ban or limit all gatherings to fight the spread of the new coronavirus. Rong-Gong Lin II in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/18/20

Coronavirus: Safeway, Target, Whole Foods, Zanotto’s launch seniors hours to combat hoarding, supply woes -- San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo joined with Safeway executives Wednesday to announce a plan crafted to combat hoarding by offering special hours twice weekly so senior citizens can more easily shop at the supermarket giant’s Bay Area stores. George Avalos in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/18/20

In confronting coronavirus, Gov. Gavin Newsom takes California on its own path -- While the arrival of the novel coronavirus has prompted governors across the country to issue sweeping statewide orders in the name of public health — legal mandates to cancel school, quarantine the sick and close down businesses — Newsom’s historic directives for the state’s 40 million residents have come with a deliberately light touch. Taryn Luna, Phil Willon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/18/20

More than 4,000 students fed at OUSD’s first meal giveaway -- Across 12 schools in Oakland, students and families received about 25,000 meals in total — three breakfasts and three lunches for each student, with the goal of lasting through Wednesday, said district spokesperson John Sasaki. Fiona Kelliher in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/18/20

UCLA student tests positive for COVID-19, is being treated at hospital -- A UCLA student who lives off-campus has tested positive for COVID-19 and is receiving care at a local hospital, university officials announced Tuesday. Anyone who had close contact with the individual, who was not identified by officials, will be contacted and notified if they need to be isolated or tested, Chancellor Gene D. Block wrote in a news release. Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/18/20

Here are L.A.’s plans to protect workers, renters and homeless people amid coronavirus -- Faced with the coronavirus crisis, Los Angeles leaders have taken action on key areas involving the homeless population and evictions and are now considering dozens of other measures. David Zahniser, Dakota Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/18/20

Coronavirus is turning an overloaded immigration system into a ‘tinderbox’ -- Last week, immigration Judge Ashley Tabaddor cordoned off the first row of seats in her courtroom at Los Angeles Immigration Court. Interpreters brought their own headsets. Clerks carried disinfectant wipes. And some judges limited the number of people inside courtrooms, which normally are packed shoulder-to-shoulder. Cindy Carcamo, Andrea Castillo, Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Maura Dolan, Brittny Mejia, Molly O’Toole in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/18/20

Email: Tesla workers told to come to Fremont factory after county shutdown order -- An email sent to Tesla employees Wednesday morning told many categories of workers to come to the Fremont plant, while others were told to work from home. Chase DiFeliciantonio in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Russ Mitchell in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/18/20

How a coronavirus recession could be disastrous for Uber and Lyft drivers -- In an increasingly uncertain economic and social environment brought on by the spread of the novel coronavirus, contingent and contract workers around the world are being forced to grapple with how to stay healthy while maintaining an income. Among them are gig workers, some of whom continue to work for on-demand delivery services like Postmates, Doordash and Instacart or ride-hail services like Uber and Lyft. Johana Bhuiyan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/18/20

Out of a job? Can’t pay your bills? These proposals may help keep you afloat amid coronavirus -- The coronavirus threatens to swell the ranks of Californians in poverty as businesses shutter and workers stay home. Lawmakers are coming up with ideas to soften the economic blow. Jackie Botts Calmatters -- 3/18/20

Viral cruise ship being cleaned and readied for next stop — likely San Francisco -- The Grand Princess cruise ship that docked in Oakland on March 9 with 3,500 passengers, including 21 people known to be infected with coronavirus, is anchored in the bay but likely headed to San Francisco. Phil Matier in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/18/20

How the Bay Area ‘shelter in place’ order is changing the local coffee industry -- Times may seem dire for Bay Area coffee lovers as numerous cafes temporarily close in adherence to Monday’s “shelter in place” order, which directs people to stay home and away from each other as much as possible. But really the situation is much more hopeful. Coffee is still available in the Bay Area. But the experience of getting a cup is now a bit different. Justin Phillips in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/18/20

LAPD, Sheriff’s Department arrests drop amid coronavirus outbreak -- Los Angeles County’s two largest law enforcement agencies made significantly fewer arrests in recent weeks, reflecting the changing realities of policing in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Ben Poston in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/18/20

Coronavirus misinformation and hoax text messages are making the rounds. Here’s how to spot them -- By the time the urgent text message warning that the U.S. military was about to deploy soldiers across the country to enforce a nationwide quarantine landed on Pamela Chelin’s phone this week, it had already made its way to an untold number of people. Joel Rubin in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/18/20

Taylor: A homeless man in Oakland hadn’t heard of the coronavirus: ‘What is the virus even about? What happens?’ -- About two hours after six Bay Area counties announced “shelter in place” orders, Larry Taylor sauntered on 45th Street in Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood. Taylor, who is homeless, held a cigarette in his oil-stained hands, and he had T-shirts tied around his ankles to keep his feet warm. Otis R. Taylor Jr. in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/18/20

Fox News to be offered as a free channel ‘during dangerous times’ -- On Wednesday, Rupert Murdoch’s media company said it would partner with cable and satellite TV providers to make Fox News Channel and its Fox TV stations widely available “to ensure that every person in America can access the latest national and local news regarding coronavirus.” Meg James in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/18/20

Lopez: Column: Should anyone over 65, including doctors, be going to work during the coronavirus crisis? -- My plan was to stroll El Matador Beach in Malibu, then drive to Griffith Park for a hike, both of which could be done while maintaining a safe distance from anyone. But I’ve had a Medicare card in my wallet for a year and a half, and on Sunday, Gov. Gavin Newsom told me along with the state’s other 6 million seniors to self-isolate at home until further notice. Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/18/20

Hiltzik: Another strike against Trump’s coronavirus tax cut — most of it would go to the rich -- Decision makers in Washington have come together on the idea of a major cash infusion to household pocketbooks to counter the economic impact of the coronavirus crisis, with the debate now focused chiefly on how much to deliver and who gets the money. Michael Hiltzik in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/18/20

L.A. to pay $1.5 million to settle suit by LAPD detective alleging abuse by officer -- Los Angeles will pay up to $1.5 million to settle a lawsuit from a police detective who said she was assaulted, abused and blackmailed by a fellow officer, and that department officials ignored her complaints. Emily Alpert Reyes in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/18/20

Fox: The Ghost of Delayed Budgets Past -- The intense reaction to the coronavirus that is upending life as we know it just may resurrect the ghost of delayed budgets that haunted California’s budget process for years. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 3/18/20