Updating . .   

Bay Area’s two-day break without COVID-19 deaths ends -- The Bay Area’s two-day hiatus from coronavirus-related deaths ended Tuesday with a considerable thud, when San Mateo County health officials added nine more fatalities to the list. Rick Hurd in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/19/20

California is rapidly speeding up the reopening of the economy. Here’s what it means -- Newsom pointed to progress, including a stable hospitalization rate among COVID-19 patients and those treated in intensive care units, as well as increased testing and more protective gear for healthcare workers. California also has faced intense pressure from some counties with relatively few cases to reopen more quickly. Taryn Luna, Phil Willon, Maura Dolan, John Myers in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/19/20

L.A. children are battling a new syndrome linked to coronavirus -- The condition is referred to as both MIS-C (multisystem inflammatory syndrome) and PIMS — pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome. And it has become an alarming part of the coronavirus medical response because it affects children. Colleen Shalby in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/19/20

‘Age is a sloppy proxy’: Older adults push back on idea that staying safe from coronavirus means staying isolated -- As the Bay Area moves to reopen, experts and older adults say age shouldn’t be the only consideration when deciding who leaves home or returns to work. The broad range of “65 years and older” doesn’t differentiate between those who are healthy and fully self-sufficient and the very vulnerable. Moreover, it exacerbates existing tensions between generations: OK Boomer vs. Avocado Toaster. Ryan Kost in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/19/20

Policy & Politics 

California leased 15,000 hotel rooms to help homeless people. Half now sit empty -- Only about half of the 15,000 hotel and motel rooms that California has leased for mostly homeless people to slow the spread of the coronavirus are now occupied, a review of state records by The Times shows. Doug Smith, Benjamin Oreskes in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/19/20

Trump’s tweet on $700 million for BART, Muni, SFO surprises local officials -- Bay Area transportation officials were bewildered Tuesday by President Trump’s announcement in a tweet that the Bay Area will receive more than $700 million in federal funds to support San Francisco International Airport, Muni and BART during the coronavirus pandemic. Michael Cabanatuan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/19/20

Pandemic widens digital divide — Congress may spend billions to narrow it -- Jessica Ramos’ family had a decision to make after her father lost much of his work when the coronavirus pandemic struck: pay the mortgage on their East Oakland home or pay their internet bill. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/19/20

How Trump’s tax cuts and tariffs will make coronavirus recession worse -- President Trump’s pre-pandemic economic blueprint of massive tax cuts and global trade wars not only failed to deliver the promised spike in growth and domestic investment, it now appears to have left the U.S. more vulnerable to the devastating financial impact of the coronavirus outbreak. Don Lee in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/19/20

Gavin Newsom speeds up plans to close two California prisons, worrying employees -- Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to accelerate his plans to reduce incarceration in California by closing two state prisons in the next few years. Wes Venteicher in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/19/20

Aiming at corruption, SF Supervisor Mar takes another stab at creating an office of public advocate -- San Francisco Supervisor Gordon Mar is introducing a proposal for the November ballot on Tuesday that would carve out a new city office dedicated solely to investigating and rooting out government corruption and the waste of taxpayer money. Dominic Fracassa in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/19/20

Gavin Newsom’s budget gives governor too much power over COVID-19 spending, top Democrat says -- Sen. Holly Mitchell, D-Los Angeles, raised concerns during a Monday budget hearing about nearly $3 billion that Newsom is proposing to spend on COVID-19 response, including on protective equipment like masks, critical medical supplies and hospital surge preparations. Sophia Bollag in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/19/20

Republican Mike Garcia, of Santa Clarita, is sworn in to Congress after special-election win -- Republican Mike Garcia was sworn in to Congress on Tuesday, May 19, after a year-long campaign to win the right to represent northeast Los Angeles County and a sliver of Ventura County. With his wife and two boys looking on inside the House of Representatives, Garcia, 44, the Navy veteran was sworn in by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Ryan Carter in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 5/19/20

Climate 

Coronavirus has altered the global warming trajectory, with emissions dropping 17%. But for how long? -- The disruption caused by the coronavirus has been so profound that it’s altered the trajectory of global warming. Not since World War II — and perhaps never before — have the emissions of heat-trapping gases dropped as much around the planet as they have during the COVID-19 outbreak. Kurtis Alexander in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/19/20

Reopen  

Long Beach mulls outdoor dining and recreation on reserved streets -- As coronavirus restrictions keep many indoor areas off-limits, the city of Long Beach is exploring an “open streets initiative” that would repurpose some roads to accommodate recreation and outdoor dining. Luke Money in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/19/20

San Diego salon owners say government money comes with impossible strings -- Her aid money was deposited into her account two weeks ago, triggering an eight-week countdown in which she must spend the cash to satisfy government-set forgiveness requirements. If 75 percent of those funds don’t end up in her workers’ hands in the next six weeks, Barrow will be on the line to repay $75,000 in two years — with interest. Brittany Meiling in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 5/19/20

Mass Masking  

‘You’re just sheeple.’ Sacramento region wrestles with masks and manners as economy reopens -- But in jurisdictions where masks are optional, life is often filled with uncomfortable uncertainty. Business owners must weigh the need for safety against the genuine craving to welcome customers back in their stores. This balancing act becomes particularly precarious in counties that have received Newsom’s blessings to reopen their economies a step further than the rest of the state. Dale Kasler, Jason Anderson, and Ryan Sabalow in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/19/20

BART 

Opening day set for long-awaited BART stations in Milpitas, San Jose -- For the first time in BART’s 48-year history, riders will be able to take its trains across the Santa Clara County line beginning next month. Stations in Milpitas and North San Jose will begin service June 13th, officials announced Tuesday. The openings come at long last, following length delays that pushed back the scheduled opening in summer 2018. Evan Webeck in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/19/20

Real Estate  

Coronavirus lockdown stifles Southern California home sales. But prices edge up -- Illustrating the chilling effects the coronavirus crisis has had on the housing market, data released Tuesday show Southern California home sales fell 26.6% in April compared with a month earlier, while year-over-year sales were down 31.5%. Neal J. Leitereg in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/19/20

Orange County home sales plummet 34% in SoCal’s slowest April on record -- Orange County homebuying was slashed by one-third in April as the coronavirus battle pushed Southern California purchases to a record low. Jonathan Lansner in the Orange County Register -- 5/19/20

Also . . .   

A wild Hollywood Hills party draws 100 despite coronavirus orders — then a gunshot rings out -- Los Angeles police arrived at a Hollywood Hills home Saturday night after neighbors complained about a raging party taking place despite the coronavirus restrictions on large gatherings. But officials said the officers got more than they bargained for when they entered. Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/19/20

Still trying to get a handle on schooling from home? Home-schoolers know a thing or two -- Ten-year-old Eva used to whiz through exercises in school, finishing before most of her friends and sometimes mentoring other students. Faith E. Pinho in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/19/20

 

California Policy & Politics Tuesday Morning  

Bay Area goes two days straight without a coronavirus death for first time since start of March -- Health officials in the nine Bay Area counties recorded no new deaths due to the coronavirus on Sunday or Monday, as the area’s death toll remained at 390. Matt Kawahara in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/19/20

Bay Area coronavirus hospitalizations hit key milestone, down more than half from peak -- The number of confirmed COVID-19 patients in Bay Area hospitals has dropped by more than half since its peak more than a month ago. According to state data reviewed by The Chronicle, total hospitalizations across the nine Bay Area counties dipped to 230 on Sunday, May 17, a 51% decline from the record 471 reported on April 7. Kellie Hwang in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/19/20

4 children with rare inflammatory disease test positive for coronavirus; 21 under investigation -- Four children in Los Angeles County diagnosed with a rare inflammatory disease have tested positive for COVID-19 through antibody testing, officials said Monday. The county is investigating an additional 21 possible cases of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with the illness, County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said. Colleen Shalby in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/19/20

A simple score shows how fast the coronavirus is spreading. Here’s what it is for the Bay Area -- As the Bay Area inches toward reopening the economy, a single number that defines the state of the coronavirus outbreak is gaining new status: the R0. Erin Allday in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/19/20

UCSF scientists race to decode the deadly disease -- In late February, the virus expert Nevan Krogan called an early morning meeting at his UCSF lab in Mission Bay and told 20 fellow scientists that their lives were about to change. Jason Fagone in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/19/20

On the trail of the coronavirus: How scientists track the pathogen -- Laboratory sleuths at universities and laboratories around the Bay Area are using the virus’ genome to construct a microbial family tree — and they are using that information to plot the contagion’s wide-ranging path of destruction from person to person and place to place. Peter Fimrite in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/19/20

Eleven residents dead in Vallejo nursing home outbreak, more than 130 infected -- In total, 99 residents and 32 staff members at Windsor Vallejo Care Center have been infected with the coronavirus as of Monday morning, said Dr. Bela Matyas, county health officer. Anna Bauman in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/19/20

Policy & Politics 

California lawmakers introduce PG&E 'Plan B' that outlines state takeover contingency -- California lawmakers are moving quickly on legislation authorizing a state takeover of Pacific Gas & Electric in case the company's bankruptcy exit plan falls short next month or other triggers occur. Colby Bermel Politico -- 5/19/20

PG&E Says Wildfire Victims Voted for $13.5 Billion Settlement Offer -- PG&E Corp. said it survived attempts to rally wildfire victims against a $13.5 billion settlement offer, positioning the bankrupt utility favorably to exit chapter 11 on its preferred terms. Peg Brickley in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 5/19/20

California Offers $500 in Covid-19 Aid to Undocumented Immigrants -- A barrage of calls to sign up for the $75 million in aid crashed phone lines. Undocumented immigrants do not qualify for most federal assistance. Miriam Jordan in the New York Times$ Yesenia Amaro in the Sacramento Bee$ Matthew Ormseth in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/19/20

How Newsom budget yanks back Medi-Cal health care gains for low-income residents -- Earlier this year, Gov. Gavin Newsom had proposed expanding the state's health coverage program to reach more people. Then along came the coronavirus, and the Medi-Cal cuts began anew. Ana B. Ibarra Calmatters -- 5/19/20

Never mind big California election win — GOP doubles down on fight against mail voting -- Republican Mike Garcia may have won a nearly all-mail congressional runoff election in California last week, but that’s not stopping GOP leaders from fighting efforts to expand voting by mail in states across the country. John Wildermuth in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/19/20

Battered California Republicans see hope in rare House win -- California Republicans have been waiting for a turning point and some think it’s finally arrived. Michael R. Blood Associated Press -- 5/19/20

Politifact CA: Does Voting By Mail Lead To Higher Turnout In Red, Blue and Purple States? It’s Not That Simple -- Recent claims by President Trump, that voting by mail leads to fraud and hurts Republicans, have put a spotlight on the topic. They’ve also inspired pushback from Democratic leaders in California, where generations of voters have used “absentee ballots,” and 72 percent of all ballots cast in the state’s March primary were by mail. Chris Nichols Politifact CA -- 5/19/20

Reopen    

Gov. Gavin Newsom eases reopening requirements for California counties -- California is relaxing its criteria for counties that want to reopen their economies faster than the state during the coronavirus pandemic, after local leaders complained that the original requirements were too difficult to meet. Alexei Koseff and Erin Allday in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Kathleen Ronayne and Amy Taxin Associated Press Rachel Becker Calmatters -- 5/19/20

Few show up for retail reopening in San Francisco -- While stores are eager to reopen — retail sales plunged by record levels in April — there were signs that most shoppers continue to stay home as broader shelter-in-place orders remain. Many business owners have doubts that online sales alone can sustain them, with shoppers still barred from entering stores to browse products.  Shwanika Narayan, Rusty Simmons and Annie Vainshtein in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/19/20

Parking lots reopen at 27 California state parks -- Over the weekend, and without an official announcement, the state began to partially reopen lots at 27 state parks and beaches in Santa Cruz, San Benito, Sonoma, Riverside and Orange counties, along with the Lake Tahoe Area, and several other mostly rural parts of the state. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/19/20

Newsom opens door for Giants, A’s returning to field -- The Giants and A’s could be back on the field in early June. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday that pro sporting events could be permissible by then — without spectators — if the rate of coronavirus positive tests doesn’t spike. John Shea in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Jeremy B. White Politico -- 5/19/20

Tesla Reopens, But Battle Between Carmaker and Alameda County Isn't Over -- A week after welcoming thousands of workers back to its electric car plant in Fremont in defiance of Alameda County health orders, Tesla is officially resuming full production at the facility. Dan Brekke KQED -- 5/19/20

Joshua Tree National Park reopens, but with limitations -- Joshua Tree National Park reopened to the public Sunday after closing for two months amid the coronavirus crisis. Parking lots, trails, family campsites and some bathroom facilities were reopened Sunday afternoon, according to spokesperson Hannah Schwalbe. Kailyn Brown in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/19/20

Officials alarmed by crowds at Malibu beaches, some local parks, warning of dangers -- The narrow strip of Zuma Beach in Malibu over the weekend was filled with hundreds of people, many with faces uncovered, who parked in residential neighborhoods and partied in large crowds at night, according to one local reporter who asked county supervisors if they were aware of the disregard for the county’s stay-at-home order. Melissa Gomez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/19/20

Hundreds line up at Viejas Casino as gaming resumes in San Diego County -- They may have been rolling the dice with their health, but long lines of visitors eager to play slot machines or card games crowded Viejas Casino on Monday as the venue reopened with new safety guidelines. Lyndsay Winkley, Paul Sisson, Gary Warth in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 5/19/20

The Protesters  

Humboldt County coronavirus protester’s ‘slaves’ sign goes viral -- A photograph of a Humboldt County resident holding a sign that compares California’s ongoing stay-at-home order to the slave trade has exploded online to widespread reactions calling the sign racist and deeply offensive. Gretha Stenger held the sign at a protest last week in front of the Humboldt County courthouse, where she was photographed for a post in Redheaded Blackbelt, the community news blog in Southern Humboldt. Shomik Mukherjee in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/19/20

Furloughs  

Kings furlough more than one-third of full-time employees due to coronavirus shutdown -- Kings President of Business Operations John Rinehart informed employees Monday that more than one-third of the team’s full-time workers will be furloughed for four months beginning June 1 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Jason Anderson in the Sacramento Bee$ Bob Moffitt Capital Public Radio -- 5/19/20

Small Business Help  

Buena Park offers $10,000 grants to small businesses hurt by pandemic -- Buena Park will give $10,000 each to 51 small businesses left reeling by COVID-19 pandemic, money that can be used to pay commercial rent, payroll, utilities and other necessities. The Small Business Emergency Relief Grant Program, set to launch this week, is aimed at helping Buena Park-based companies with 10 or fewer employees (including the owner) that generate tax revenue for the city. Ian Wheeler in the Orange County Register -- 5/19/20

Multiple Disasters Daily  

Fire crews who responded to explosive LA blaze increasingly deal with unique crises downtown -- The huge explosion Saturday that shook Los Angeles’ downtown area known as the Toy District, between Skid Row and Little Tokyo, was only the latest calamity for a fierce team of firefighters that has been dealing with multiple disasters, every day. Ryan Carter in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 5/19/20

Education 

California community college chancellor endorses going online-only this fall -- The chancellor of California’s largest college system today said he believes online instruction will be the best course of action this fall. Mikhail Zinshteyn Calmatters -- 5/19/20

LAUSD superintendent says budget cuts could be ‘just as real a threat’ as coronavirus -- Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner warned Monday, May, 18, that state budget cuts could harm students, while the district is bracing for its own budget shortfalls due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Olga Grigoryants in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 5/19/20

Six urban California districts say proposed budget cuts will set back restarting school -- Los Angeles Unified and five other urban California school districts collectively enrolling about 1 million students warned Monday that “unrealistic” funding cuts proposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in his revised budget would force them to delay reopening of schools this fall. John Fensterwald EdSource -- 5/19/20

Napolitano and UC chancellors will take a 10% pay cut amid coronavirus-related budget crisis -- University of California President Janet Napolitano announced Monday that she and all 10 campus chancellors will take a 10% pay cut in the coming fiscal year to help offset the public university system’s staggering financial losses caused by the coronavirus crisis. Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/19/20

Alameda schools to end academic year 6 days early -- Alameda kids will get an extra six days of summer vacation following a unanimous school board vote Monday to end the academic year early, with officials saying the time would be better spent training teachers than instructing students. Jill Tucker in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/19/20

With the coronavirus keeping campuses closed, parents report academic, financial struggles and stress -- Parents fear that their children are losing vital learning opportunities with school campuses closed due to the coronavirus, and these academic struggles appear linked to economic hardship and possibly race, according to local and national surveys released Monday. Howard Blume in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/19/20

After widespread glitches in online AP testing, students can now submit by email -- Alexa Macias studied for months for her Advanced Placement calculus exam — and was devastated to see her hard work negated last week when she ran into a technological glitch that prevented her from uploading her answers and completing the test. Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/19/20

UC San Diego proposes to build one of the tallest dormitories on the West Coast -- UC San Diego proposes to build a 21-story residential tower that would be among the tallest dorms on the West Coast and the centerpiece of a complex that will provide 2,050 beds for the fast-growing school. Gary Robbins in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 5/19/20

Twitter CEO gives $10 million to close the digital gap in Oakland -- After Twitter’s CEO heard that Oakland Unified and the city were trying to raise more than $10 million to close the gap between students with computers and internet access and those without, he announced he would donate nearly the entire amount needed. Theresa Harrington EdSource -- 5/19/20

Immigration / Border / ICE   

Immigration courts in ‘chaos,’ with coronavirus effects to last years -- This month, she was finally going to get her chance to convince an immigration judge in San Francisco that she should be granted permanent asylum in the U.S., ending the agony of having to prepare for her court date by reliving the danger in her native country and her weeks of detention at the border. Thanks to the coronavirus, she will have to endure the wait for three more years. Tal Kopan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/19/20

Staying afloat  

New grants offer $625K for East Bay artists amid pandemic -- A coalition of East Bay arts funders has joined forces with the city of Oakland to create a relief fund of $625,000 to support artists and cultural works affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Joshua Kosman in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/19/20

Jobs  

Security Company Set To Hire 1,200 New California Workers -- Securitas is aiming to hire 1,200 new security officers in California — part of a push to bring on 10,000 more employees nationwide — through a virtual career fair and drive-thru hiring efforts, one of which is planned next week in San Diego, the company announced Monday. KPBS -- 5/19/20

Homeless  

SF searching its properties for new sanctioned camp sites — including park land -- San Francisco Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer is backing away from an emergency ordinance she introduced this month that would have compelled the Recreation and Park Department to develop a list of potential locations for sanctioned tent encampments for the homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dominic Fracassa in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/19/20

Real Estate  

No pandemic ‘fire sale’ on Bay Area homes, despite ‘breathtaking’ drop in transactions -- Sales of existing, single-family homes in April — the first month to show the full force of the coronavirus — dropped a stunning 30.1% statewide and 37.4% in the Bay Area compared to the same period last year, but median prices were more or less unchanged, according to a survey released Monday by the California Association of Realtors. Kathleen Pender in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/19/20

Environment  

Rare Whale Washes Up At San Onofre State Beach With Bullet Hole In It -- A pygmy sperm whale was found washed up at San Onofre State Beach in san Diego County with what appeared to be a bullet hole in it, it was reported Monday. The discovery of the nearly nine-foot whale happened on Friday when a lifeguard spotted the creature lying on the rocks, the Orange County Register reported. KPBS -- 5/19/20

HIV  

New HIV drug ‘highly effective’ at preventing infection, study shows -- A new HIV drug injected every two months effectively reduces the rate of infection, and provides longer and stronger protection than taking pills, a global trial published Monday revealed. Mallory Moench in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/19/20

Also . . .   

O.C. food banks get first of daily deliveries from USDA coronavirus program -- Second Harvest is partnering with the Orange County Food Bank to distribute what is expected to be about 33,000 boxes of food each week that will go to people around the county hurt by the coronavirus pandemic shutdown. Theresa Walker in the Orange County Register -- 5/19/20

Butane ‘may have had something to do’ with explosion, LAFD chief says -- The weekend explosion at a smoke shop supply firm in downtown Los Angeles that injured 12 firefighters may have been caused by the chemicals stored inside, the chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department said Monday, May 18. Josh Cain, Brooke Staggs in the Los Angeles Daily News$ -- 5/19/20

Probe into LA explosion begins as firefighters recover -- Investigators on Monday began combing the wreckage of a fire and explosion at a downtown Los Angeles vape and marijuana accessories wholesaler to determine its cause as 12 injured firefighters started the long process of recovery. Stefanie Dazio Associated Press -- 5/19/20

3 Southern California men abducted, 2 killed, in cross-border kidnappings -- They lived in Norwalk, Pasadena and San Diego, but they all disappeared in Tijuana. Their families got a call demanding money. Matthew Ormseth in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/19/20

POTUS 45  

Despite risks, Trump says he’s taking hydroxychloroquine -- President Donald Trump said he is taking a malaria drug to protect against the coronavirus, despite warnings from his own government that it should only be administered for COVID-19 in a hospital or research setting due to potentially fatal side effects. Trump told reporters Monday he has been taking the drug, hydroxychloroquine, and a zinc supplement daily “for about a week and a half now.” Zeke Miller, Marilynn Marchione and Darlene Superville Associated Press -- 5/19/20

Celebrity law firm won’t pay ransom to hackers claiming to have ‘dirty laundry’ on Trump -- A $42-million ransom demand for hacked files that purportedly threaten to incriminate President Trump is hanging over a New York law firm representing some of the top acts in the entertainment business. Stephen Battaglio in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/19/20

Beltway   

Biden says he would revoke permit for Keystone pipeline -- Joe Biden’s campaign said Monday that as president, he would rescind the Trump administration’s permit authorizing the Keystone XL pipeline, likely elevating the project into a 2020 campaign issue. Matt Viser and Dino Grandoni in the Washington Post$ -- 5/19/20

How Immigrant Twin Brothers Are Beating Trump’s Team on Facebook -- Occupy Democrats, a Facebook page that Rafael and Omar Rivero started eight years ago, has emerged as a counterweight to right-wing meme machines. Nick Corasaniti in the New York Times$ -- 5/19/20

 

-- Monday Updates   

Most counties may reopen in-store retail, hairdressers within weeks, Newsom says -- Most California counties will have the opportunity to reopen a slew of new businesses like in-store retail and hairdressers within the next few weeks, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday. Fiona Kelliher, Maggie Angst in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/18/20

Trump says he's taking hydroxychloroquine despite FDA warnings -- Why it matters: The FDA issued a warning last month that the unproven drug should only be taken in hospitals because of the risk of heart complications. There's no substantiated evidence that taking hydroxychloroquine prevents COVID-19 infections. Axios -- 5/18/20

Newsom eases California reopening rules, allowing more counties to restart economy -- Announcing that more California communities are in a position to slowly reopen businesses, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday loosened rules on allowable coronavirus infection and death rates — a change that could release most parts of the state from the tight rules of his stay-at-home order. John Myers, Taryn Luna, Phil Willon in the Los Angeles Times$ Sophia Bollag in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/18/20

Gov. Newsom says sports with no fans could return in June; SD Loyal have experience -- Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday said sporting events without spectators could be allowed in California beginning next month. Tom Krasovic in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ John Shea in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/18/20

All Bay Area counties to allow storefront retail pickup, associated businesses to reopen -- In a joint statement Monday, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, Santa Clara counties and the city of Berkeley said that a new order — replacing the current one lasting through the end of May — will be released later this morning detailing the changes. Fiona Kelliher, Robert Salonga, Evan Webeck in the San Jose Mercury$ Rong-Gong Lin II in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/18/20

California records 80,000 coronavirus cases, more than 3,200 deaths -- Californians traveling between county lines may soon need a field guide to assess coronavirus restrictions in various parts of the state as permissions to reopen continue to fluctuate day by day. The state has surpassed 80,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 3,200 deaths. Although the numbers continue to increase overall, the case count has started to taper off in some areas. Colleen Shalby in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/18/20

Coronavirus infection rate in L.A. County is falling. But it’s still in the danger zone -- As Los Angeles County found itself in a coronavirus crisis in March, it became clear the highly infectious disease was surging out of control, with every one person testing positive for the virus infecting an average of 3½ other people. Rong-Gong Lin II, Iris Lee in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/18/20

More new cases in San Francisco, San Mateo but hospitalization rates continue to fall -- As San Francisco and San Mateo County entered the second phase of reopening and businesses began to reopen for curbside service Monday, new cases of COVID-19 on the peninsula continued to tick up. Evan Webeck in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/18/20

As California reopens, officials hope social distancing prevents new coronavirus outbreaks -- More of California was reopening Monday as coronavirus restrictions continued to be eased in the state, with hopes the changes will help the economy without causing a rise in new cases. At least three Bay Area counties — San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin — plan to incrementally ease their social-distancing restrictions starting Monday. Alex Wigglesworth, Christopher Goffard, Susanne Rust, Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Maura Dolan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/18/20

Chula Vista veterans home adjusts to fend off coronavirus threat -- Chula Vista — Residents of San Diego County’s only state veterans home in Chula Vista are living under new constraints, as officials work to keep the coronavirus outside the facility’s walls. So far, its director says, that’s working. Andrew Dyer in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 5/18/20

California Ramps Up COVID-19 Contact Tracer Training For Government Workers – But Citizens Want To Help, Too -- Cindy Moore has been spending a lot of time on her iPad lately, keeping up on the latest COVID-19 news and looking for ways to help. The 67-year-old retired geologist, who lives in Sacramento, would love to be a contact tracer, one of thousands the state of California is training to track how people acquired the coronavirus. Bob Moffitt Capital Public Radio -- 5/18/20

Policy & Politics    

Underfunded pensions make GOP leaders reluctant to send federal aid to states like California -- Top Washington Republicans determined not to send federal money to states say their biggest fear is Democrats will use it to help reeling public employee pensions funds. David Lightman in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/18/20

San Diego County Supervisors consider proposals to share CARES Act funds with cities -- San Diego County will use some of the $334 million in federal funds it received under the CARES Act to support the region’s 17 cities that were too small to qualify for direct federal funds. However, it appears a debate is brewing over how much aid the county should provide. Charles T. Clark in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 5/18/20

Rep. Jackie Speier dons pajamas to fight lawmakers sleeping in offices -- Rep. Jackie Speier wants you to see her in her pajamas — in the hopes of exposing the “dirty little secret” of members of Congress sleeping in their workplaces. It’s a practice she argues should be banned. Tal Kopan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/18/20

Quinn: All Mail Voting Works – for Republicans -- For all the Republican howling of late about mail balloting, we have now had our first two all mail ballot elections in California, and guess what, Republicans won both: a State Senate seat in Riverside County and a congressional district in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties that Democrats had won in 2018. Tony Quinn Fox & Hounds -- 5/18/20

Vanishing Jobs  

Uber cuts 3,000 more jobs as coronavirus devastates ride-hailing -- As millions of people worldwide stay home during the coronavirus pandemic, Uber is cutting 3,000 more jobs, it said Monday. Along with the 3,700 positions it cut two weeks ago, the San Francisco ride-hailing company is laying off 25% of its staff. Carolyn Said in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Cathy Bussewitz Associated Press -- 5/18/20

Coronavirus unemployment: Eight weeks, more than 100,000 layoffs in Bay Area -- Bay Area employers have issued official notices for furloughs, layoffs, or job cuts that have hopped past 100,000 in eight weeks — even as more workers are unable to reach the state labor agency to process unemployment claims — a reminder of the grim economic effects spawned by coronavirus-linked shutdowns. George Avalos in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/18/20

Status Update: Orange County’s jobless can apply for $800 from workforce program -- Orange County residents who lost jobs because of the pandemic can apply for help and $800 as part of a workforce program funded with a state grant. The Orange County Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act program is designed to help job seekers upgrade skills, obtain employment, improve job retention and increase earnings. Samantha Gowen in the Orange County Register -- 5/18/20

New Business Normal  

In twist, dozens of Los Angeles restaurants oppose delivery app fee cap -- In an unexpected move, more than 20 Los Angeles restaurants, including Canter’s, Sichuan Impression and Sweetfin, have signed a petition opposing a City Council proposal to cap third-party delivery app fees. Jenn Harris in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/18/20

Restaurants and bars look ahead -- Remember restaurants? Not the empty storefronts where you grab a takeout bag from a masked employee standing behind a makeshift counter in the doorway, but those places where you’d gather with friends, enjoy hours-long meals and allow chefs and waitstaff to take care of you? Soleil Ho, Janelle Bitker and Esther Mobley in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/18/20

San Jose’s San Pedro Square Market reopens today with 10 restaurants, vendors -- Good news for downtown dwellers in San Jose: San Pedro Square Market, which had closed for the first two months of the COVID-19 crisis, will greet customers again starting today, with 10 of its vendors offering takeout and delivery. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Linda Zavoral in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/18/20

Viejas Casino reopens after two-month closure, more to follow suit -- They may have been rolling the dice with their health, but hundreds of people eager to play slot machines and card games returned to Viejas Casino on Monday as the gaming venue reopened with new safety guidelines. Gary Warth, Lyndsay Winkley in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 5/18/20

Northern California casinos nearly ready to open doors — cautiously -- Slot machines are being removed to create social distancing. Temperature stations are being installed to make sure employees and guests are healthy when they walk in the door. Two months after closing because of the coronavirus pandemic, Northern California’s casinos are gearing up to reopen. Dale Kasler in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/18/20

Olvera Street merchants struggle to survive amid the coronavirus pandemic -- It was a sad sight for Jorge Contreras: rows of blue, yellow and orange puestos, or market stalls, on Olvera Street were shuttered. Nineteenth-century brick buildings that house restaurants, shops and museums were closed, too. La Plaza, typically teeming with people, was empty and quiet. Ruben Vives in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/18/20

Hair And Nail Salons Squeezed As They’re Deemed 'High Risk' Businesses During Pandemic -- At Exquisite U hair salon in Arden Arcade, Stephanie Hunter Ray is doing business a little differently these days. Before the coronavirus, the salon she’s owned for 15 years on Fulton Avenue was packed with regular clients. Sarah Mizes-Tan Capital Public Radio -- 5/18/20

Business Lost  

New American restaurant in Auburn closes permanently, citing coronavirus -- The 10-month-old New American restaurant has closed permanently, owner Mikki Ruiz announced on Facebook Sunday night. Scheduled power outages designed to mitigate wildfire risk hamstrung Mikki’s in October, Ruiz said, and the full-service restaurant never fully recovered. Benjy Egel in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/18/20

Education 

ACT chief says UC students would be hurt by Napolitano plan to scrap SAT and ACT -- UC President Janet Napolitano’s proposal to suspend a standardized testing requirement will fuel student uncertainty, strain budgets and exacerbate concerns about fairness by making the admissions process more subjective, the head of the ACT testing organization said Monday. Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/18/20

L.A. schools’ distance learning amid coronavirus has uneven results, survey says -- Families give the Los Angeles school district good marks for its efforts to help them, but many report they are struggling — both in trying to keep their children on pace academically and in other ways, according to a survey that the district released Monday. Howard Blume in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/18/20

Only a matter of time   

Man in surgical mask uses gun to rob Vista gas station -- The masked man entered the Mobil gas station on Sycamore Avenue on Sunday shortly before 10:10 p.m.and pointed a silver semi-automatic handgun at the clerk. Karen Kucher in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 5/18/20

Also . . .   

ATF joins probe of LA blast that injured 12 firefighters -- Investigators on Monday began combing the wreckage of a fire and explosion at a downtown Los Angeles hash oil manufacturer as six burned firefighters remained in the hospital and two more went home. Stefanie Dazio and John Antczak Associated Press -- 5/18/20