Aaron Read
Edsource.org
Olson Hagel
Capitol Weekly
 
Maplight.org
CA Leg Analyst
 

Updating . .   

California scrambling to obtain virus protection gear -- “It’s going to take an heroic effort” to procure the personal protection equipment, or PPE, needed to prepare for an expected surge in COVID-19 cases, Newsom said. Among other things, he said the state would charter flights from China with gear and had heard from companies wanting to use 3-D printers to make surgical masks. Kathleen Ronayne and Brian Melley Associated Press -- 3/24/20

Virus Skeptic Musk Donates Ventilators in What Governor Calls ‘Heroic Effort’ -- The billionaire said in a tweet he helped acquire 1,255 of the machines from China last week and arranged them to be air-shipped to Los Angeles. He thanked Tesla staff and customs officials in China and Los Angeles for assistance. Sophie Alexander and Blake Schmidt Bloomberg -- 3/24/20

Coronavirus hospitalizations climbing sharply in L.A., likely the approaching wave -- A steep rise in people being hospitalized with COVID-19 in Los Angeles County likely signals the approach of a wave of extremely sick patients that could overwhelm hospitals in the coming weeks, experts say. As of March 6, five people in the county had been hospitalized at some point with COVID-19. Two weeks later, on Friday, that figure had jumped to 48. By Monday, the total had climbed to 90. Soumya Karlamangla, Harriet Ryan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/24/20

Coronavirus: When will Bay Area hospitals see surge in patients? -- Even as they frantically stock up on protective gear and jump through the hoops of converting regular rooms to intensive care beds, Bay Area hospitals say they are not yet seeing the surge in coronavirus patients that state officials have warned is on the way. Emily DeRuy, John Woolfolk in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/24/20

Gun stores must close amid coronavirus restrictions, L.A. County sheriff says -- Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva on Tuesday said gun shops are nonessential businesses and if they don’t close their doors, they will be cited and face the loss of their business licenses. Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/24/20

Key medical glove factories cutting staff 50% amid virus -- Malaysia’s medical glove factories, which make most of the world’s critical hand protection, are operating at half capacity just when they’re most needed, The Associated Press has learned. Juliet Linderman and Martha Mendoza Associated Press -- 3/24/20

Incomplete data  

California is way behind in testing and tracking coronavirus. It’s a big problem -- A fragmented landscape akin to an orchestra playing without a conductor has emerged with public officials at the city, county and state levels scrambling to come up with testing options and priorities. At the same time, various universities and an increasing number of private, for-profit labs have developed their own testing schemes. The result has been a confusing, incomplete picture of the virus in California. Joel Rubin, Anita Chabria, Taryn Luna, Melody Petersen, Paige St. John in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/24/20

Six Bay Area counties demand coronavirus testing data from labs -- Seven Bay Area jurisdictions have demanded that academic, commercial and pop-up labs report all COVID-19 testing data, including negatives, to health authorities as they attempt to track the fast-spreading virus across the region. Fiona Kelliher in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/24/20

Spread     

L.A. County has first youth death amid coronavirus outbreak, with cases over 660 -- Los Angeles County on Tuesday confirmed four more deaths linked to the coronavirus, including one previously reported in the city of Long Beach. The deaths include an individual under the age of 18, the first such death reported in the county. Taryn Luna, Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Colleen Shalby, Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times$ Hayley Munguia in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 3/24/20

How much of a risk does the coronavirus pose to children? -- Data on the novel coronavirus currently has shown very few cases of serious illness or death in children and young adults, but experts say that doesn’t mean they’re immune or will not become infected. Alicia Robinson in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 3/24/20

Trump will use Defense Production Act to secure thousands of test kits -- FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor said the Trump administration on Tuesday will formally implement the Defense Production Act to secure medical equipment sorely needed to fight the coronavirus pandemic. "So, just a little while ago my team came in, and we're actually going to use the DPA for first time today," Gaynor told CNN. Quint Forgey, Sarah Owermohle and Megan Cassella Politico -- 3/24/20

Coronavirus updates: Santa Clara County now counts 375 cases of coronavirus -- Santa Clara County reported three more deaths from COVID-19 complications, bringing the toll there to 16. In addition, the county reported 54 new confirmed cases. The new results equate to 375 cases across Santa Clara County. Amy Graff, Alyssa Pereira in the San Francisco Chronicle Evan Webeck in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/24/20

Guests at Trump National Golf Club disco party get coronavirus -- It underscores that in a pandemic, certain motions of daily life no more extraordinary and no less cherished than a birthday party can turn perilous, seeding a crowd with a sickness that blooms as the party breaks up, carrying it home, to work — everywhere. Matthew Ormseth in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/24/20

Long Beach reports 7 new coronavirus cases, bringing total to 28 -- One of the new cases was that of a Cal State Long Beach student, which the university reported earlier Tuesday. CSULB officials announced another case, but that student is not included in the city’s tally because they are not a Long Beach resident. Hayley Munguia in the Long Beach Press Telegram$ Priscella Vega, Nina Agrawal in the Los Angeles Times$-- 3/24/20

‘You spit in our face:’ San Mateo County health officer blasts those ignoring coronavirus order -- The San Mateo County health officer lambasted those flouting shelter-in-place rules Monday, writing in an unrestrained letter that residents “spit in our face” by leaving home unnecessarily. Fiona Kelliher in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/24/20

3 sailors on deployed San Diego-based aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt test positive for COVID-19 -- Three sailors on the San Diego-based aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt have tested positive for COVID-19, Thomas Modly, the acting secretary of the Navy, announced Tuesday at a Pentagon press briefing. The affected sailors were flown off the ship and taken to a Defense Department hospital, said Adm. Mike Gilday, the chief of naval operations. Andrew Dyer in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/24/20

Jobs  

These companies are hiring right now in the Bay Area -- Unemployment is climbing as shelter-in-place orders change life around the nation. But for those seeking jobs, not all businesses are instituting hiring freezes or eliminating positions. Katie Dowd in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/24/20

Economy

Airline cutbacks batter Bay Area airports -- So far this week, San Jose International Airport has suffered more than 200 flight cancellations, Oakland International Airport has endured in excess of 150 flight cancellations, and San Francisco International Airport has experienced about 790 canceled flights, according to blogs that track nationwide airline delays and cancellations. George Avalos in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/24/20

Fox: During Time of Crisis Property Tax is Stable—for Now -- The state of California is bracing for a hit in revenue because of the COVID-19 crisis. Income taxes, sales taxes and corporate taxes, the three pillars holding up the state budget, are expected to fall precipitously. Property taxes, however, may not be reduced much, if at all, thanks to California’s Proposition 13 property tax system. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 3/24/20

Social Distancing  

California tourist towns demand outsiders stay home. ‘Someone is going to get shot’ -- Mono County over the weekend banned most short-term vacation rentals in an effort to prevent tourists from carrying the new coronavirus into the isolated, resource-strapped community. The decision followed a wave of similar announcements that have derailed ski trips, hobbled backpacking plans, and landed a devastating blow to local tourism-dependent economies across the West. Ryan Sabalow and Jason Pohl in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/24/20

Some beaches stay open, others shut down – why coastal closures are varying during coronavirus response -- In Seal Beach and Laguna Beach, you’ll be ushered off the sand, possibly even fined, by authorities looking to distance people from each other to curb the coronavirus spread. At California State Parks beaches throughout Southern California and stretches of coast managed by Los Angeles County, you won’t be able to access parking spots in most lots, but as of Tuesday morning, the beaches were still be open to people who can walk, jog or ride bikes into the area. Laylan Connelly in the Los Angeles Daily News$ Jeremy B. White and Debra Kahn Politico -- 3/24/20

To slow coronavirus spread, Orange County moves to close parking lots at beaches, parks -- Like its neighbors up and down the California coast, Orange County is moving to restrict parking access to its parks and beaches in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus, officials said Tuesday. Luke Money in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/24/20

Andrew Cuomo to Trump administration: 'You pick the 26K people who are going to die' -- Cuomo was careful not to call out President Donald Trump by name, but said in stark terms that if U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar doesn’t release the 20,000 ventilators in the federal stockpile and the president doesn’t demand U.S. companies manufacture more, thousands of New Yorkers will die as a result. Shannon Young and Marie J. French Politico -- 3/24/20

Also . . . 

Davis, Peters report stock and bond sales after COVID-19 briefing -- Rep. Susan Davis recently disclosed the sale of tens of thousands of dollars worth of airline and cruise ship stocks two weeks after a congressional briefing on the COVID-19 outbreak that has wreaked havoc on financial markets. Jeff McDonald in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/24/20

 

California Policy & Politics This Morning  

Coronavirus

'Worst is yet to come': SF public health director says virus will escalate in 1-2 weeks -- At a Monday afternoon press conference, San Francisco Public Health Chief Dr. Grant Colfax suggested the peak may be just around the corner, saying the number of patients infected with COVID-19 in the city will escalate in a week or two. Amy Graff in the San Francisco Chronicle Harriet Ryan, Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Sean Greene in the Los Angeles Times$-- 3/24/20

California now says it needs 50,000 more hospital beds to meet coronavirus surge -- New modeling shows California needs 50,000 additional hospital beds to meet the incoming surge of coronavirus patients, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday. It’s a dramatic jump from the 20,000 extra beds Newsom said the state needed just two days ago, and reflects what the governor describes as dynamic modeling that’s constantly changing as new numbers about coronavirus infections pour in. Sophia Bollag in the Sacramento Bee$ Taryn Luna in the Los Angeles Times$ Thomas Fuller, Tim Arango and Jo Becker in the New York Times$ -- 3/24/20

California scrambling to obtain virus protection gear -- California is scrambling to obtain protective gear for healthcare workers and first responders, reaching out worldwide and working with locals to ratchet up production as the coronavirus pandemic continues to sweep through the nation’s most populous state. Kathleen Ronayne and Brian Melley Associated Press -- 3/24/20

Trump didn’t give California everything it wanted in disaster request. Here’s what he left out -- California didn’t get everything it was seeking when it secured a major disaster declaration from President Trump — left out was money for numerous types of individual aid, including broader access to food stamps and unemployment benefits. Dustin Gardiner in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/24/20

Coronavirus: Social distancing measures could last two or three months, Newsom warns -- Tough social distancing measures to stamp out the coronavirus’ spread may need to last two or three months in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom suggested on Monday, in a drastic contrast with President Trump, who just minutes earlier had predicted the U.S. economy could reopen for business in weeks, not months. Casey Tolan, Fiona Kelliher, Paul Rogers and Kerry Crowley in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/24/20

Hospital ship Mercy leaves San Diego to assist in Los Angeles COVID-19 response -- The Mercy, in addition to its roughly 800 medical staff, has 1,000 hospital beds and 12 operating rooms. The ship won’t treat COVID-19 patients, officials say. Instead, the ship will take on other patients from Southern California hospitals to free up space in those facilities so they can better handle coronavirus patients. Andrew Dyer in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/24/20

Coronavirus brings an end to California’s good-times budget. How bad will it get? -- In a January budget proposal of record size, Gov. Gavin Newsom touted a projected multibillion-dollar surplus and new programs to reshape homeless services, boost wildfire prevention and provide health care for immigrant seniors living in the country illegally. That plan has been dashed by the economic turmoil caused by the coronavirus outbreak, which experts say is pushing the U.S. into a recession. Alexei Koseff in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/24/20

Coronavirus: All California trials delayed; L.A. County courts close to public -- Criminal and civil trials were discontinued in California for at least two months after a sweeping order was issued late Monday by the state’s chief justice that aims to sharply cut down public traffic in state courthouses during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Matt Hamilton, James Queally in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/24/20

Here is where the California National Guard is being deployed to battle coronavirus -- Officials said the Guard is being used purely for humanitarian purposes, such as distributing food and medical supplies as well as helping at food banks and working with officials on the Grand Princess cruise ship, which docked in California after an outbreak of the virus on board. Richard Winton, Alex Wigglesworth, Colleen Shalby in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/24/20

Trump to postpone Real ID deadline because of coronavirus, giving relief to California DMV -- President Donald Trump announced Monday afternoon that he plans to postpone the Oct. 1 deadline for Americans to obtain a Real ID card because of the coronavirus outbreak, relieving pressure on states like California where millions of people have yet to apply for the new kind of driver’s license. Trump did not say what the new deadline would be. Bryan Anderson in the Sacramento Bee$ Patrick McGreevy in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/24/20

San Diego scientists looking for COVID-19 survivors whose blood might help fight the virus -- A team of scientists from Scripps Research and UC San Diego is searching for COVID-19 survivors who are willing to donate blood that would be screened for antibodies capable of fighting the coronavirus. Gary Robbins in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/24/20

Coronavirus traces found on Diamond Princess 17 days after passengers left -- Traces of the novel coronavirus were found in the cabins on the Diamond Princess cruise ship up to 17 days after passengers left, a study published by the CDC Monday found. Why it matters: Axios health care editor Sam Baker notes: "The virus lives a long time on hard surfaces, and that's another reason to be wary about quickly reopening businesses like bars, restaurants and gyms while the virus is still spreading quickly." Rebecca Falconer Axios -- 3/24/20

Gutted by coronavirus outbreak, SF’s poshest hotels compete for new clientele: quarantined residents -- In the latest sign of just how topsy-turvy our strange new world has become, some of San Francisco’s fanciest hotels are competing for an unlikely clientele: SRO residents who need to be quarantined because of exposure to the coronavirus. Heather Knight in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/24/20

As Bay Area residents scramble to make it home, some question health screening at SFO -- When Rochelle Jue and Melissa Riches met in the International Terminal at San Francisco International Airport on Monday, they bonded because both were trying to find their kids. Mallory Moench in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/24/20

Spread  

Coronavirus cases in California pass 2,000 -- California hit another milestone with coronavirus: more than 2,000 cases confirmed. Officials expect that number to rise significantly amid aggressive new pushes to get more people tested. Colleen Shalby, Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/24/20

Orange County has 30 new cases of coronavirus; total number up to 125 -- Orange County has 125 confirmed cases of the coronavirus as of Monday, March 23, up from the 95 reported on Sunday, marking the biggest one-day jump in the numbers thus far. The number of cases nearly doubled over the weekend in Orange County. And, about 600 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Southern California, with that number expected to grow quickly as more testing is done. Jeong Park in the Orange County Register -- 3/24/20

Marin’s public health officer contracts coronavirus as case count hits 47 -- Dr. Matt Willis, Marin County’s top public health official, has tested positive for the coronavirus, he announced Monday as the number of confirmed cases in the county rose to 47. Willis, the county’s public health officer, issued a “shelter in place” order last week aimed at stemming the spread of the COVID-19. Matthew Pera in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/24/20

Coronavirus: SF has 8,500 potential hotel rooms for the homeless, front-line workers -- San Francisco supervisors are working on making as many as 8,500 hotel rooms available this week to homeless residents, healthcare workers and first-responders who have nowhere to isolate during the coronavirus pandemic. Marisa Kendall in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/24/20

Coronavirus testing sales by ‘concierge’ doctors under review by medical board -- The Medical Board of California is looking into physicians selling COVID-19 tests while sick people around the country can’t get tested because of a nationwide shortage, a board spokesman said Monday morning. Adam Elmahrek, Amy Kaufman, Ben Poston in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/24/20

California governor cautious on earlier release of inmates -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday ruled out releasing violent inmates in response to the coronavirus pandemic, but left the door open to other relief that he said needs to be carefully weighed to avoid worsening the state’s homelessness crisis. Don Thompson Associated Press -- 3/24/20

California Prisons Are a 'Tinderbox of Potential Infection,' Former CDCR Secretary Warns -- “You think cruise ships are a petri dish?” Kernan said in an interview Monday. “Prisons are even more so the mass of humanity. So I'm very concerned about my colleagues and the inmates and their families in jails and prisons across the country.” Sukey Lewis, Marisa Lagos, Julie Small KQED -- 3/24/20

At least 8 LAPD officers have the coronavirus; 160 law enforcement cases nationwide -- At least eight Los Angeles police officers have tested positive for the coronavirus, including two of the department’s most senior command staff, as concerns about first responders’ increased risk of getting sick grow nationwide. Richard Winton, James Queally in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/24/20

California closes parking lots at beaches and parks to stem spread of coronavirus -- Contradicting President Donald Trump's claim that restrictions will end shortly, California Gov. Gavin Newsom closed parking lots at many state parks and beaches to avoid a repeat of last weekend's too-close-for-comfort crowds. Laurel Rosenhall Calmatters -- 3/24/20

Economy, Employers, Jobs, Unions, Pensions  

More than 60 percent of San Diego County restaurants have completely closed, industry leaders say -- To help affected employees of local eateries, the restaurant association has launched a “Restaurants Care” program that is accepting donations, including an initial $100,000 from the owners of Skrewball Whiskey in Ocean Beach. David Garrick in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/24/20

Waterfront hotels, businesses plead for rent relief from Port of San Diego during COVID pandemic -- The hotels, restaurants and retail shops doing business on Port of San Diego tidelands are calling on the public agency to waive their rent payments for a 90-day period. The drastic action will, they say, prevent their companies from sinking into financial ruin amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Jennifer Van Grove in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/24/20

Owners boarding up SF storefronts during coronavirus shutdown — the city is fine with that -- Dozens of restaurants and retail businesses across San Francisco are boarding up their storefronts with plywood, lending the normally lively retail corridors a feeling of neighborhoods about to be slammed by a hurricane, rather than one under siege by a pandemic. J.K. Dineen in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/24/20

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure halt construction during coronavirus closure -- In line with direction from government and health officials, the temporary closure of Disneyland Resort includes construction sites, Disney officials said in a statement. Brady MacDonald in the Orange County Register -- 3/24/20

Amazon expands ‘social distancing’ to six feet at warehouses, after complaints from employees -- Yet until a few days ago, Amazon warehouse employees in Sacramento and elsewhere — representing tens of thousands of workers nationwide — were told that a three-foot separation was sufficient. Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/24/20

 

Federal judge rules freelance journalists, photographers not exempt from Calif. contracting law -- A federal judge has refused to exempt freelance journalists and photographers from a new California law that would reclassify many of them as employees rather than contractors, a status that would increase their workplace benefits but could make it harder for them to find work. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/24/20

 

Social Distancing  

Community groups alarmed after L.A. City Council cancels meetings for the rest of March -- Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez announced Monday that she has canceled council meetings scheduled for Tuesday and the following week, saying the city is not yet ready to conduct a remote meeting. Emily Alpert Reyes, David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/24/20

At some of SF’s new luxury buildings, coronavirus social distancing means closing amenities -- Heated saltwater lap pools? Closed. As are basketball and bocce courts, yoga rooms, private movie theaters and executive conference rooms normally available to the work-at-home executive. J.K. Dineen in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/24/20

Mayor Faulconer Closes All City Beaches, Parks and Trails -- Mayor Kevin Faulconer Monday ordered the closure of all city-owned beaches, parks and trails, and said violators could face fines and jail time, as officials announced three dozen new novel coronavirus cases. Citing a lack of physical distance among city residents in public spaces over the weekend, Faulconer said the step was not one the city took lightly. KPBS -- 3/24/20

San Francisco closes playgrounds amid coronavirus concerns -- “The main reason is that it is difficult for children to practice social distancing when they’re playing together on the playground,” Aparton said. Those playgrounds with fences or gates have been locked and others now have signage noting the closure, Aparton said. Matt Kawahara in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/24/20

U.S. Domestic Passenger Flights Could Virtually Shut Down, Voluntarily or by Government Order -- Major U.S. airlines are drafting plans for a potential voluntary shutdown of virtually all passenger flights across the U.S., according to industry and federal officials, as government agencies also consider ordering such a move and the nation’s air-traffic control system continues to be ravaged by the coronavirus contagion. Andy Pasztor and Alison Sider in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 3/24/20

Homeless  

Coronavirus response: Thrift store, rec center to shelter homeless from O.C. armories -- Under a plan that began to take shape last week, at a federal court hearing, the Salvation Army Orange County is readying its now-closed thrift stores for use as temporary homeless shelters during the coronavirus outbreak. Theresa Walker in the Orange County Register -- 3/24/20

San Diego Convention Center Will Transform From Economic Powerhouse to Homeless Refuge -- The opening of the Convention Center is part of a larger plan to open up additional shelter options for homeless San Diegans, including more than 240 new shelter beds at Golden Hall in the City Hall complex. Lisa Halverstadt Voiceofsandiego.org -- 3/24/20

Housing  

Emergency order prohibits L.A. rental units from being pulled off the market -- The city of Los Angeles has expanded its temporary ban on evictions during the novel coronavirus outbreak by prohibiting landlords from removing tenants from rent-stabilized apartments for the purposes of converting them to condominiums, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Monday afternoon. Colleen Shalby, Ruben Vives, Hannah Fry, Patrick McGreevy Laura Newberry, Liam Dillon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/24/20

Education 

San Diego Unified, L.A. Unified say schools need $3 billion in emergency state funding for distance learning -- California’s two largest school districts are asking the state to give all public schools emergency funding to pay for “extraordinary costs” they are incurring during the COVID-19 pandemic, including at least $500 per student to fund distance learning. Kristen Taketa in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/24/20

Guns 

Gun Stores Remain Open Despite ‘Non-Essential’ Classification -- Gun stores in San Diego County are seeing record sales during the coronavirus outbreak, but county officials say the stores should not be open under Gov. Gavin Newsom's stay-at-home order. They say gun stores are not included in the list of "essential businesses." Matt Hoffman KPBS -- 3/24/20

Also . . . 

Kevin de León declares victory in race for Eastside L.A. City Council seat -- Former state Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León on Monday claimed victory in the March 3 election to replace outgoing Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar. Dakota Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/24/20

POTUS 45  

Trump says he may soon push businesses to reopen, defying the advice of coronavirus experts -- President Trump, under growing pressure to rescue an economy in free fall, said Monday that he may soon loosen federal guidelines for social distancing and encourage shuttered businesses to reopen — defying public health experts, who have warned that doing so risks accelerating the spread of the novel coronavirus or even allowing it to rebound. Philip Rucker, Jeff Stein, Josh Dawsey and Ashley Parker in the Washington Post$ -- 3/24/20

Before Trump called for reevaluating lockdowns, they shuttered six of his top-earning clubs and resorts -- President Trump’s private business has shut down six of its top seven revenue-producing clubs and hotels because of restrictions meant to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, potentially depriving Trump’s company of millions of dollars in revenue. David A. Fahrenthold, Joshua Partlow and Jonathan O'Connell in the Washington Post$ -- 3/24/20

Trump Has Given Unusual Leeway to Fauci, but Aides Say He’s Losing His Patience -- The president has become increasingly concerned as Dr. Anthony S. Fauci has grown bolder in correcting his falsehoods about the spread of the coronavirus. Maggie Haberman in the New York Times$ -- 3/24/20

Trump cannot block critics on Twitter, federal court affirms -- A federal appeals court in New York on Monday let stand a ruling that prevents President Trump from blocking critical voices from the Twitter account he uses to communicate with the public. Ann E. Marimow in the Washington Post$ -- 3/24/20

Beltway 

Negotiators close on nearly $2 trillion virus aid package -- Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said they had spoken by phone with President Donald Trump during the long night of negotiations. While the two sides have resolved many issues in the sweeping package, some remain. At midnight Monday, they emerged separately to say talks would continue into the night. Lisa Mascaro, Andrew Taylor and Jonathan Lemire Associated Press -- 3/24/20

 

-- Monday Updates 

PG&E pleads guilty to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter over Camp fire -- Pacific Gas & Electric announced Monday it has pleaded guilty to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter related to California’s most destructive wildfire that burned much of Paradise, Calif., in 2018. Matt Hamilton, Joseph Serna, Shelby Grad in the Los Angeles Times$ Michael Liedtke and Olga R. Rodriguez Associated Press -- 3/23/20

Coronavirus tests are hard to get — unless you have money, fame and the right doctor -- As people across the country were unable to get tested for COVID-19, a Santa Monica pediatrician emailed the parents of his patients with a pricey but tempting offer. Adam Elmahrek, Amy Kaufman, Ben Poston in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/23/20

In a matter of days, San Francisco hires 82 new nurses as it prepares for looming coronavirus surge -- As coronavirus threatens to overwhelm San Francisco’s hospitals, The Department of Public Health hired 82 permanent nurses over the past two weeks to prepare for the looming surge in cases of the deadly virus, officials said Monday. Trisha Thadani in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/23/20

Predicting coronavirus? SF emergency workers wear state-of-the-art rings in new study -- At least 2,000 San Francisco emergency medical workers will begin wearing rings this week that track their body temperature and other vital signs in a first-of-its-kind study to try to identify the early onset of COVID-19 and help curb its spread. Matthias Gafni in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/23/20

California companies jump in to supply ventilators needed in coronavirus fight -- Last week, Bloom Energy Chief Executive KR Sridhar realized his fuel-cell business could help alleviate the state’s critical shortage of ventilators. Samantha Masunaga in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/23/20

Insurance rates will spike without US action on coronavirus costs, Covered California says -- Without federal action, insurance premiums are likely to skyrocket by as much as 40 percent or more in 2021 because of the costs of testing and caring for patients with COVID-19, Covered California reported Monday. Cathie Anderson in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/23/20

‘It’s busier than Black Friday:’ Gun sales boom in San Diego amid fears over coronavirus -- Fear of a societal breakdown amid the coronavirus pandemic has triggered a surge in gun sales across San Diego County. Firearm dealers from El Cajon to San Marcos reported last week a massive uptick in sales, saying the demand was being driven by first-time buyers, and was depleting their stock of guns and ammunition. David Hernandez in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 3/23/20

Spit On, Yelled At, Attacked: Chinese-Americans Fear for Their Safety -- Yuanyuan Zhu was walking to her gym in San Francisco on March 9, thinking the workout could be her last for a while, when she noticed that a man was shouting at her. He was yelling an expletive about China. Then a bus passed, she recalled, and he screamed after it, “Run them over.” Sabrina Tavernise and Richard A. Oppel Jr. in the New York Times$ -- 3/23/20

Spread

80% of COVID-19 patients in L.A. County are ages 18 to 65; fatalities rise to 7 -- Los Angeles County on Monday provided new information about the spread of coronavirus as well as the demographics of the patients. Colleen Shalby, Alex Wigglesworth, Howard Blume in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/23/20

Coronavirus cases in Orange County jump to 125 -- The number of coronavirus infections in Orange County cracked triple digits on Monday. Luke Money in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/23/20

Sacramento County coronavirus count jumps to 88 cases. Fourth death reported -- Sacramento County officials disclosed the number of coronavirus cases in the county has seen its biggest jump yet on Monday, with 88 reported cases and a fourth death. That represents an increase of 35 cases since the previous report during the weekend, mirroring increased cases statewide and nationally. Tony Bizjak in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/23/20

Long Beach reports first death from coronavirus, 19 total cases -- A woman in her 50s, with underlying medical conditions, died from “complications of COVID-19,” the city said in a Monday afternoon, March 23, statement. She was a Long Beach resident. The city also upped the total number of positive coronavirus cases to 19. Chris Haire in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 3/23/20

L.A. County increases coronavirus testing capacity, securing 20,000 new tests -- L.A. County has secured 20,000 new coronavirus tests with a processing capacity of 5,000 tests per day, officials announced Monday. The tests will be free and healthcare workers and first-responders will be prioritized. Patrick McGreevy Hannah Fry, Ruben Vives, Colleen Shalby in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/23/20

Coronavirus testing center in Hayward draws hundreds on first day, some turned away -- As the number of coronavirus cases in the Bay Area climbed above 800 Monday morning, hundreds of people lined up near Fire Station No. 7 in Hayward, hoping to get tested for COVID-19. Joseph Geha in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/23/20

Free private coronavirus drive-thru testing begins in Sacramento via online appointments -- A free drive-up coronavirus testing program will launch in Sacramento on Tuesday, sponsored by Google’s parent company Alphabet and aimed at relieving the testing burden at hospitals and government labs by giving people with milder symptoms a mobile site to be checked. Michael McGough and Tony Bizjak in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/23/20

Marin County’s public health officer has coronavirus and a message for his community -- In a video message recorded Sunday night, Dr. Matt Willis announced that he tested positive for the virus that afternoon. Willis said he has been self-quarantined from his family since his symptoms first appeared late last week. Rong-Gong Lin II, Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/23/20

Coronavirus: 185 U.S. cases linked to Princess Cruise ships -- Another 60 Americans were infected while aboard a ship traveling on Egypt’s Nile River on Nile and other cruise ship voyages, it found. These passengers are now completing federal quarantines and are completely safe, posing no risk of transmission to others. Lisa M. Krieger in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/23/20

Groceries

Coronavirus: Safeway reaches new agreement for pay raise, protections for workers -- Albertsons Companies, the nationwide grocery chain that owns Safeways, pledged to give a $2 an hour pay raise for California grocery workers at Safeway, Vons, Albertsons, and Pavilions stores. Safeway will also pay workers up to two weeks if they are diagnosed with COVID-19 or are told by a doctor to quarantine or self-isolate. Mallory Moench in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/23/20

Coronavirus: East Bay Raley’s closed Monday after an employee tested positive -- A Raley’s in Antioch closed late Sunday night and remained closed through Monday after an employee tested positive for coronavirus, a spokeswoman for the grocery retailer said. Rick Hurd in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/23/20

California asks feds to let CalFresh recipients order online -- As Californians stay home to avoid the coronavirus, many now rely on online food ordering to avoid crowds at supermarkets. But people who buy groceries with CalFresh, the state’s version of food stamps, are barred from using the benefit for online or delivered orders, meaning that they or their helpers can only buy food in person at stores. Carolyn Said in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/23/20

Social Distancing

L.A. City Council president cancels upcoming council meetings -- Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez canceled council meetings that had been scheduled for Tuesday and next week, saying that the city needed to ensure it was ready to meet “recommended safety standards.” Emily Alpert Reyes, David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/23/20

Here are the latest coronavirus restrictions on beaches, hiking trails, parks, recreation spaces -- The city of Los Angeles city and other civic agencies announced new restrictions on movements due to the coronavirus. They took the actions amid concerns over people continuing to jam trails, beaches and parks despite orders to stay home when possible and to practice social distancing. Alex Wigglesworth, Rong-Gong Lin II in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/23/20

Economy, Jobs

Kaiser nurses decry lack of coronavirus safety preparation at LA facility -- Several nurses at Kaiser-Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center said Monday, March 23, that their hospital is underprepared to protect front-line workers. In response, Kaiser-Permanent officials said their top priority is patients and staff members. Ryan Carter in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 3/23/20

Coronavirus to cost California 125,000 hotel jobs, more than any other state, trade group says -- The hotel industry in the Golden State is expected to be hit hardest by the coronavirus outbreak because California has the most hotel jobs — about 285,000 — according to the American Hotel and Lodging Assn. trade group. Hugo Martín in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/23/20

Coronavirus relief: $11 million fund launches in Santa Clara County -- The money will help low-income households pay rent and other crucial bills in an effort to prevent them from losing their homes during the crisis. Companies and nonprofits including Cisco, Destination: Home, Adobe, Zoom, Facebook and Hewlett Packard Enterprise have contributed, and the county and the city of San Jose are considering supplying another $2 million each — which will be discussed at their respective meetings Tuesday. Marisa Kendall in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/23/20

Coronavirus: Glassdoor survey finds people confident about long-term working from home -- As many Californians have unexpectedly found themselves working from home due to the statewide shelter in place edict that’s part of the effort to control the spread of coronavirus, the practice of working remotely is having an impact on employees that could last beyond the end of the current worldwide pandemic. Rex Crum in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/23/20

Coronavirus Sparks Hiring Spree for Nearly 500,000 Jobs at Biggest Retailers -- Walmart Inc., Amazon.com Inc. and CVS Health Corp. are among about a dozen large companies looking to hire nearly 500,000 Americans in coming weeks, a spree that would mark a major shift of the U.S. workforce from smaller businesses and others that have cut staff to survive the coronavirus. Sarah Nassauer and Jaewon Kang in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 3/23/20

Homeless  

As coronavirus spreads, Orange County to use former juvenile center as homeless shelter -- A former juvenile correctional facility in Orange County will be used as a shelter for older individuals who are homeless but not showing signs of coronavirus infection, officials said. Luke Money in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/23/20

A Postcard From The Streets: Living Unsheltered As Coronavirus Spreads -- Rodney Stanhope is used to sleeping in a tent on cold nights and struggling to find a hot meal. But now, the unsheltered Sacramento resident has a new burden to bear: The threat of coronavirus. Scott Rodd Capital Public Radio -- 3/23/20

Housing

Coronavirus will make California’s affordable housing problems worse, experts say -- California already faced a shortage of more than 1 million homes for low-income families before the novel coronavirus hit. And now many advocates, economists and politicians say the pandemic is only going to make the situation worse. Liam Dillon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/23/20

Coronavirus help: Landlords urged to freeze rents, halt evictions by their own trade groups -- California Apartment Association said Monday, March 23, it has told its member landlords that through May 31 they should freeze rents; stop evictions “absent extraordinary circumstances’; wave late-payment fees for impacted residents; and offer flexible repayment options for those late rents. Jonathan Lansner, Jeff Collins in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 3/23/20

Education 

Closures at L.A. Unified, other districts extend to May 1; Verizon to offer free student internet to all who need it -- Los Angeles public schools will remain closed until May 1 in response to the coronavirus outbreak as Supt. Austin Beutner announced Monday that Verizon will provide free internet access for all students who do not currently have it so learning can continue. Howard Blume, Sonali Kohli in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/23/20

Also . . . 

Coronavirus deadline extensions: income taxes, DMV, smog check, student loans -- Deadlines have been extended for some taxes, fees and license renewals because of coronavirus shutdowns. Here is the status as of March 23: The item in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/23/20

Flights canceled between Sacramento and Hawaii amid coronavirus shutdown on islands -- One of the three airlines that flies between Sacramento and Hawaii - Hawaiian Airlines - has announced it will close down flights between islands and the mainland starting Thursday in reaction to Hawaii’s coronavirus “shelter in place” announcement. Tony Bizjak in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 3/23/20

Coronavirus: Bay Area air quality is improving as people stay home -- Shelter-in-place orders are only about a week old, but air pollution experts say they are seeing drops in smog across the Bay Area — a pattern that has already played out in China, Italy and other parts of the world where efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus have significantly reduced motor vehicle traffic and industrial activity. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/23/20

Fox: It is a Good Time to Pave the Roads if We Listen & Stay at Home -- Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order to isolate at home means citizens should take the opportunity to catch up with reading, TV viewing, walks and spending time with family. Assuming people adhere to the governor’s order—more on that in a moment–there is an opportunity for government as well—with little traffic it’s a good time to pave the roads. Joel Fox Fox & Hounds -- 3/23/20

Beltway 

Trump flirts with a less-aggressive coronavirus response, echoing Fox News -- Since Sunday night, Trump has telegraphed newfound sympathy for the idea of a less-aggressive effort to combat the coronavirus once the current 15-day plan expires. Aaron Blake in the Washington Post$ -- 3/23/20

Trump Considers Easing Social-Distancing Guidelines to Boost Economy -- Easing the guidelines would run counter to public-health experts who have said sustained social distancing is needed until the U.S. develops a vigorous testing regime to identify and isolate cases. Widespread testing is still a long way off and labs now are struggling with supply issues that are further hampering the ability to identify cases. The virus can be spread when people are asymptomatic. Michael C. Bender and Rebecca Ballhaus in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 3/23/20