Blog en direct: la Californie se prépare pour la saison des incendies sous COVID-19


Il s’agit d’un blog d’actualités pour toutes les dernières mises à jour sur la pandémie de coronavirus. Obtenez notre couverture complète des coronavirus ici →

REGARDER: Le maire Faulconer fera le point sur la réponse de la ville au coronavirus

– 16 h 30, mercredi 13 mai 2020

REGARDEZ EN DIRECT ici

National City a le taux de coronavirus le plus élevé du comté de San Diego

– 15 h 22, mardi 13 mai 2020

National City, qui a enregistré le taux le plus élevé de cas de COVID-19 parmi les villes du comté de San Diego, intensifiera ses efforts de test en réponse, a déclaré mercredi le maire de la ville.

La mairesse Alejandra Sotelo-Solis a déclaré que la ville offrira des tests gratuits supplémentaires et qu’elle a reçu deux nouveaux appareils de test à l’hôpital de Paradise Valley.

Sotelo-Solis a déclaré que les détails concernant le nouveau test seraient à venir, mais a déclaré qu’il permettrait aux résidents d’obtenir à la fois des tests gratuits et de la nourriture grâce à l’initiative de distribution alimentaire d’urgence lancée la semaine dernière. – Service de nouvelles de la ville

Les bureaux du gouvernement du comté devraient rouvrir vendredi; Pourrait s’entraîner avec les casinos tribaux

– 15 h 15, mercredi 13 mai 2020

Les responsables du comté de San Diego continuent de rouvrir une partie de l’économie – y compris les bureaux de comté – mais pourraient entrer en conflit avec les casinos tribaux locaux alors que ces entreprises prévoient de rouvrir au cours des deux prochaines semaines.

Alors que le comté équilibre la réouverture de certaines entreprises au milieu des appels à la réouverture, 117 nouveaux tests COVID-19 positifs et cinq décès ont été signalés mercredi. Le nombre total de cas positifs est passé à 5 278, tandis que les cinq décès portent le nombre total de décès à 194.

L’âge des personnes décédées varie de 56 à 97 ans, et tous avaient des problèmes de santé sous-jacents, selon les services de santé publique.

Viejas Casino and Resort à Alpine a annoncé la semaine dernière son intention de rouvrir le 18 mai, et Sycuan Casino Resort prévoit d’ouvrir le 20 mai. Les casinos locaux sont fermés depuis près de deux mois.

La Dre Wilma Wooten, responsable de la santé publique du comté, a déclaré que le comté avait un problème avec ces dates.

« Nous ne sommes pas d’accord avec la réouverture des casinos le 18 mai », a-t-elle déclaré. « L’ouverture de casinos entraînera un risque pour notre santé publique. C’est clair. » – Service de nouvelles de la ville

La Californie se prépare pour la saison des incendies sous COVID-19

– 15 h 10, mercredi 13 mai 2020

Même si la majeure partie de l’État est préoccupée par la pandémie de coronavirus, la Californie est sur le point d’entrer dans une autre zone de danger – la saison des incendies de forêt.

Le gouverneur a consacré la majeure partie de son exposé de mercredi, délivré par une caserne de pompiers dans le comté d’El Dorado, pour répondre aux efforts de l’État de se préparer à la saison des incendies, soulignant qu’il y a eu 1 135 incendies de forêt cette année jusqu’à présent – une augmentation de 60% par rapport à la même période l’an dernier.

Newsom a déclaré qu’il proposait une augmentation budgétaire de 127 millions de dollars pour le bureau des services d’urgence de l’État (OES), avec un financement de 50 millions de dollars pour aider les comtés à gérer les coupures de courant de sécurité publique attendues et à embaucher 600 personnes supplémentaires pour aider à lutter contre les incendies.

REGARDEZ ici:

Également lors du briefing de mercredi, le directeur de l’OES, Mark Ghilarducci, a présenté des options pour effectuer des évacuations de feux de forêt tout en maintenant les procédures de quarantaine dans le cadre de COVID-19. Il s’agit notamment de créer des centres d’évacuation séparés et éventuellement d’utiliser des chambres d’hôtel pour héberger les évacués COVID-positifs.

« Nous allons évidemment travailler sur ces [issues] en temps réel, et nous allons évaluer chaque cas individuel tel qu’il nous est présenté « , a-t-il ajouté.

Newsom a également annoncé la création d’une division de la sécurité contre les incendies de forêt de 106 personnes au sein de la Commission des services publics pour superviser les plus grands services publics appartenant à des investisseurs de l’État, y compris PG&E, dans le cadre des efforts visant à prévenir de futurs incendies de forêt. – Monica Lam / KQED

Procédure en direct de la Cour supérieure de San Diego pendant les fermetures de COVID-19

– 12 h 25, mercredi 13 mai 2020

La Cour supérieure de San Diego a commencé à diffuser en direct les procédures judiciaires pénales mercredi sur sa page YouTube afin de fournir un accès public lors des fermetures liées à COVID-19.

Alors que les palais de justice du comté restent fermés au public jusqu’au 26 mai au moins, des poursuites pénales sont en cours pour les prévenus qui sont toujours en détention.

Dans une ordonnance signée mardi, la juge présidente Lorna A. Alksne a écrit que, bien que les préoccupations de santé publique exigent que les tribunaux restent fermés, les procédures de retransmission en direct seraient autorisées « dans le but de fournir un accès public élargi aux procédures judiciaires conformément au sixième amendement (de la Cour) responsabilités. »

Actuellement, l’accès en direct est disponible pour un certain nombre de services au palais de justice du centre-ville de San Diego, avec uniquement l’audio disponible.

L’ordre d’Alksne indique que la retransmission en direct sera en vigueur jusqu’au 22 mai, le dernier jour où les tribunaux de San Diego devraient rester fermés au public.

Les juges auront le pouvoir discrétionnaire de « refuser, limiter ou mettre fin à ces émissions, en tout ou en partie », précise l’ordonnance.

L’ordonnance interdit également aux téléspectateurs de photographier, d’enregistrer ou de rediffuser quoi que ce soit sans autorisation judiciaire, une règle déjà en vigueur lorsque les palais de justice étaient ouverts au public.

Les livestreams sont accessibles ici. – Service de nouvelles de la ville

Annonce d’un groupe régional sur les frontières; Des écrans faciaux et des ventilateurs donnés à Tijuana

– 19 h 05, mardi 12 mai 2020

Le maire de San Diego, Kevin Faulconer, a annoncé mardi la création d’un groupe binational et régional chargé de surveiller les impacts potentiels du COVID-19 et des voyages transfrontaliers entre les États-Unis et le Mexique sur les soins de santé et les ressources d’urgence de San Diego.

Le San Diego Region Border Unified Command a été créé le mois dernier et comprend plus d’une douzaine d’agences locales, étatiques et fédérales, qui suivront et réagiront à tout impact provoqué par les citoyens américains traversant les États-Unis en provenance du Mexique pour obtenir un traitement pour COVID- 19 ou d’autres maladies.

« Les objectifs de ce groupe sont vraiment de surveiller les systèmes de soins de santé transfrontaliers et de planifier et de se préparer aux impacts de la pandémie », a déclaré Faulconer.

Les projections montrent que le Mexique pourrait atteindre son pic de COVID-19 dans les semaines à venir, mettant à rude épreuve les systèmes de soins de santé au sud de la frontière, selon les responsables de la ville, qui ont déclaré que le groupe frontalier se réunissait deux fois par semaine « avec des rapports de données quotidiens pour se préparer à un potentiel scénarios et réduire l’impact sur les ressources du comté de San Diego. « 

REGARDEZ ici:

Faulconer a déclaré que « COVID-19 ne connaît pas de frontières, donc notre région frontalière travaille ensemble pour surveiller la situation à Baja et se préparer aux impacts sur les soins de santé dans la région de San Diego, le cas échéant. »

Faulconer a également annoncé mardi que San Diego fera don de 1 000 écrans faciaux imprimés en 3D à Tijuana, au Mexique, pour une utilisation dans les hôpitaux publics.

Les écrans faciaux ont été imprimés dans les bibliothèques de San Diego, qui ont été fermés au public en raison de la pandémie et utilisés entre-temps pour produire des écrans faciaux pour les employés des hôpitaux locaux.

Les responsables de la ville ont déclaré que les imprimantes pouvaient produire environ 300 écrans faciaux par semaine, dont plus de 1600 produits et donnés au cours du mois dernier.

Un don de cinq ventilateurs sera également fait par CalDART, un groupe qui utilise des avions de l’aviation générale pour les ponts aériens en cas de catastrophe, qui fabriquera et distribuera les ventilateurs d’urgence.

Le maire de Tijuana, Arturo Gonzalez-Cruz, a déclaré que les dons « protégeront sans aucun doute notre personnel médical qui travaille quotidiennement sans relâche ». – Service de nouvelles de la ville

15 autres décès par coronavirus signalés dans le comté de San Diego

– 16 h 15, mardi 12 mai 2020

Le comté de San Diego a approuvé l’ouverture d’une nouvelle série d’entreprises et de services mardi, à la suite des directives du gouverneur Gavin Newsom concernant la réouverture de l’économie californienne, les responsables du comté ayant signalé 96 nouveaux cas de COVID-19 et 15 décès supplémentaires.

Les entreprises de bureau sont autorisées à rouvrir, bien que le superviseur Nathan Fletcher ait déclaré que les responsables de la santé du comté « encouragent toujours fortement le télétravail ».

Les centres commerciaux – intérieurs, extérieurs et en bande – sont également autorisés à rouvrir uniquement pour le ramassage et la livraison en bordure de rue.

REGARDEZ ici

D’autres entreprises ou services pouvant ouvrir mardi comprenaient des lave-autos, des entreprises de toilettage d’animaux, des entreprises d’aménagement paysager et des musées extérieurs et des lieux de rassemblement.

Ces entreprises peuvent ouvrir dès qu’elles sont prêtes, mais doivent d’abord remplir le plan de réouverture sûr situé sur le site Web du comté.

Newsom a également publié des directives pour que l’industrie de la restauration de l’État rouvre en toute sécurité. Bien qu’il n’y ait pas de calendrier attaché à l’ouverture des restaurants, les directives permettent aux propriétaires d’entreprise de se préparer pour cette journée.

« Nous évoluons constamment en tant qu’Etat », a déclaré Fletcher.

Avec le nouveau nombre de cas et les décès signalés mardi, le total du comté est passé à 5 161 cas et 190 décès. Les 15 décès supplémentaires sont survenus entre le 7 mai et le 11 mai. Tous les défunts avaient des problèmes de santé sous-jacents et leur âge variait de 56 à 92, selon le Dr Wilma Wooten, responsable de la santé publique du comté. – Service de nouvelles de la ville

Un législateur de Santee demande à Newsom de rouvrir des maisons de culte

– 16 h, mardi 12 mai 2020

Le sénateur Brian Jones de Santee a appelé mardi le gouverneur Gavin Newsom à rouvrir tous les lieux de culte qui ont été temporairement fermés en raison de la pandémie de coronavirus.

Dans sa lettre au bureau du gouverneur, Jones, un républicain, a fait valoir que les lieux de culte auraient dû être considérés comme « essentiels en premier lieu » en vertu du premier amendement lorsque les fonctionnaires ont élaboré des ordonnances de séjour à domicile en mars.

Jones a en outre affirmé que les églises, les synagogues, les mosquées et les temples sont tous en mesure de suivre les directives établies par les Centers for Disease Control des États-Unis pour les entreprises essentielles, et peuvent donc ouvrir leurs portes en toute sécurité.

« Les lieux de culte sont plus que capables d’observer les directives du CDC sur la distance sociale et la propreté », a écrit Jones.

Les lieux de culte ne sont pas autorisés à organiser des services publics en vertu des ordonnances actuelles de séjour à domicile en Californie, bien que beaucoup continuent à offrir des services virtuels.

Newsom a annoncé mardi les modifications de certaines réglementations de l’État, donnant aux comtés individuels le pouvoir d’autoriser la réouverture des centres commerciaux, des centres commerciaux et des centres commerciaux avec une collecte en bordure de rue.

Une lettre similaire a également été envoyée au président du conseil des superviseurs du comté de San Diego, Greg Cox. – Service de nouvelles de la ville

La Californie recommande des masques pour les serveurs et des menus jetables

– 13 h 40, mardi 12 mai 2020

La Californie recommande aux restaurants de dépister les symptômes des clients, de faire en sorte que les serveurs portent des masques et maintiennent les convives séparés d’au moins 1,8 mètre (6 pieds) une fois qu’ils rouvriront conformément aux directives publiées mardi pour empêcher la propagation du coronavirus.

L’administration du gouverneur Gavin Newsom n’a pas fixé de limite stricte sur le nombre de convives autorisés, mais a donné des suggestions sur la façon de limiter l’encombrement, comme l’utilisation de sièges à l’extérieur et l’encouragement à emporter dans la mesure du possible.

Les directives ne prendront effet qu’une fois que les comtés auront été autorisés par l’État à aller de l’avant, avec plus de zones rurales avec peu de cas de virus qui devraient rouvrir les restaurants dans les restaurants plus rapidement que des endroits comme Los Angeles.

REGARDEZ ici:

Les restaurants ont été bloqués par l’ordre de rester à la maison en Californie, qui a autorisé les commandes à emporter mais pas les repas en personne en raison de préoccupations concernant la propagation du virus. Les restaurateurs ont été contraints de licencier du personnel car ces commandes représentent souvent une fraction de leur chiffre d’affaires et ils se sont mobilisés pour rouvrir leurs portes.

Il est également recommandé de fournir des menus jetables ou de les désinfecter avant et après utilisation et de mettre fin aux tables prédéfinies. L’État suggère également de suspendre l’utilisation de salières et de poivrières, dans la mesure du possible, ou d’en fournir au besoin et de les désinfecter.

Des masques seraient recommandés pour tous les employés du restaurant et requis pour ceux qui se trouvent à moins de six pieds des clients.

La California Restaurant Association avait précédemment rédigé une liste de recommandations qui incluait la limitation des tables à 10 personnes maximum. Les bars à salade, les buffets et les paniers à pain partagés seraient fermés.

Pour la plupart des gens, le nouveau coronavirus provoque des symptômes légers ou modérés, tels que de la fièvre et de la toux qui disparaissent en deux à trois semaines. Pour certains, en particulier les personnes âgées et les personnes ayant des problèmes de santé existants, cela peut provoquer des maladies plus graves, notamment la pneumonie et la mort. – Presse associée

San Diego Community College District se joint à la poursuite des fonds de secours COVID-19

12 h 25, mardi 12 mai 2020

Le San Diego Community College District a rejoint une action en justice contre le département américain de l’Éducation pour permettre aux collèges communautaires de Californie d’utiliser les fonds de secours approuvés par le Congrès pour atténuer les effets de la pandémie de COVID-19.

Le procès, déposé lundi contre le secrétaire à l’Éducation Betsy DeVos, demande au tribunal de district américain du district nord de la Californie de déclarer illégales et inconstitutionnelles les conditions d’admissibilité du ministère de l’Éducation aux bourses d’urgence accordées aux étudiants en vertu de la loi Coronavirus sur l’aide, les secours et la sécurité économique. pour arrêter leur mise en œuvre.

Le San Diego Community College District, le Los Angeles Community College District, le Sacramento-area Los Rios Community College District, le Fresno-area State Center Community College District et le Foothill-De Anza Community College District à Los Altos Hills font partie de la Cas.

Le procureur général de Californie, Xavier Becerra, représente le conseil des gouverneurs et le chancelier des California Community Colleges.

« Le ministère de l’Éducation a ignoré l’intention de la loi CARES de donner aux collèges locaux le pouvoir discrétionnaire d’aider les étudiants les plus touchés par la pandémie et a plutôt exclu arbitrairement jusqu’à 800 000 étudiants des collèges communautaires », a déclaré le chancelier des collèges communautaires de Californie, Eloy Ortiz Oakley.

« Parmi les personnes blessées figurent des anciens combattants, des citoyens qui n’ont pas rempli de demande d’aide financière fédérale et des non-citoyens, y compris ceux qui ont le statut DACA (Action différée pour les arrivées d’enfants) », a déclaré Oakley.

Le California Community Colleges dessert environ 70 000 étudiants sans papiers, dont beaucoup ont le statut DACA.

« Bien qu’immédiatement après la promulgation de la loi CARES, le département américain de l’Éducation ait estimé que ces secours d’urgence sont disponibles pour tous les étudiants et que chaque établissement d’enseignement supérieur avait le pouvoir discrétionnaire de distribuer l’aide, il a publié par la suite des orientations qui ont pris la position seuls les étudiants éligibles à une aide financière fédérale en vertu du titre IV de la loi sur l’enseignement supérieur peuvent recevoir une aide fédérale d’urgence « , selon un communiqué des California Community Colleges.

Sont également exclus les élèves qui n’ont pas de diplôme d’études secondaires ou GED et ceux qui sont au lycée et participent à des programmes d’inscription double. – Service de nouvelles de la ville

Annulation de la journée Bike to Work en raison de COVID-19

12 h 15, mardi 12 mai 2020

L’Association des gouvernements de San Diego a annulé sa 30e journée annuelle vélo-travail, initialement prévue ce jeudi.

« SANDAG est déterminé à protéger tous les participants, employés et bénévoles potentiels de la journée Bike to Work », a déclaré un communiqué de l’association. « Après un examen attentif et pour assurer un environnement sûr et sain pour la région, l’équipe SANDAG iCommute a décidé de reporter officiellement leur plus grand événement annuel à l’année prochaine. »

L’événement devrait revenir l’an prochain, et au lieu de l’événement de navettage en personne cette année, SANDAG se concentrera sur la fourniture de ressources numériques pour les déplacements à vélo et l’éducation et le lancement d’un nouveau programme pilote de rues partagées.

« Il n’y a pas de temps comme le présent pour sortir et sauter sur votre vélo », a déclaré la vice-présidente du SANDAG et maire d’Encinitas, Catherine Blakespear. « Le programme SANDAG iCommute travaille dur pour soutenir le vélo et la marche comme une forme d’exercice et une alternative pour se rendre au travail et en revenir. Bien qu’il y ait moins de voitures sur la route, profitez-en pour essayer de vous déplacer à vélo pour des trajets plus courts. Les habitudes établies pendant cette période inhabituelle peuvent mener à un mode de vie plus sain. « 

Jeudi, SANDAG organisera un webinaire pour permettre aux gens d’acquérir des compétences essentielles pour se déplacer à vélo, y compris comment conduire en toute sécurité et légalement, des stratégies de planification d’itinéraire et de précieux conseils pour rendre les déplacements à vélo plus confortables et plus agréables. Blakespear fera des remarques de bienvenue et informera les participants du réseau régional de vélos de San Diego.

Les parties intéressées peuvent s’inscrire au webinaire sur iCommuteSD.com/bike.

SANDAG lance également ce mois-ci le programme pilote Shared Streets. Il fournira jusqu’à 5000 $ à chacune des 18 villes et au comté de San Diego pour des améliorations temporaires qui créent des espaces sûrs et sains pour que les gens puissent faire du vélo, marcher, courir, scooter et plus encore pendant la pandémie de COVID-19.

Les candidatures sont ouvertes dès maintenant et doivent être soumises avant le 22 mai. Visitez sandag.org/SharedStreets pour en savoir plus. – Service de nouvelles de la ville

CSU poursuivra ses instructions en ligne pendant le trimestre d’automne

– 11 h 45, mardi 12 mai 2020

Les cours resteront principalement en ligne pendant le trimestre d’automne dans tout le système de l’Université d’État de Californie, a annoncé mardi le chancelier Timothy White, affirmant que les prévisions de possibles augmentations dans les cas de COVID-19 plus tard dans l’année permettraient de protéger les étudiants et les professeurs.

S’adressant aux membres du conseil d’administration de la CSU lors d’une réunion en ligne, White a déclaré qu’il y aura « des exceptions limitées pour les activités en personne qui ne peuvent pas être exécutées virtuellement, sont indispensables à la mission principale de l’université et peuvent être menées dans le respect des normes de sécurité rigoureuses. et le bien-être. « 

Il a déclaré que de telles exceptions pourraient inclure des cours de soins infirmiers cliniques, des cours de laboratoire en sciences de la vie et des programmes interactifs d’architecture ou d’ingénierie.

« Mais tout ce qui sera fait sur un campus cet automne ne sera pas comme par le passé, ce sera différent », a déclaré White. « C’est une réalité nouvelle et coûteuse pour nous. Pour les cours limités où l’enseignement en personne est indispensable et peut être justifié, le nombre d’inscriptions par section sera moindre. »

Il a déclaré que des lignes directrices sur la distanciation sociale seront également imposées, ainsi que des équipements de protection individuelle et des normes de nettoyage renforcées.– City News Serivce

Callaway Golf fait un don de 100 000 $ à un organisme sans but lucratif MedShare pour l’achat d’équipement de protection

– 19 h, lundi 11 mai 2020

Lundi, Callaway Golf Co., basée à Carlbad, a annoncé un don de 100 000 $ à l’organisation humanitaire à but non lucratif MedShare pour son travail de réponse COVID-19.

MedShare fournit des fournitures et du matériel médicaux excédentaires aux communautés du monde entier. L’organisation fournit des équipements de protection individuelle et d’autres fournitures médicales aux travailleurs de la santé et aux patients aux prises avec COVID-19.

Depuis que les États-Unis sont devenus l’épicentre de la pandémie de COVID-19, MedShare a fait don de plus de 1,3 million d’unités d’équipement à plus de 140 hôpitaux, cliniques communautaires et autres organisations à but non lucratif à l’échelle nationale, selon l’organisation.

« Nous apprécions le soutien généreux de Callaway Golf à nos efforts de secours COVID-19 », a déclaré le président et chef de la direction de MedShare, Charles Redding. « L’impact de COVID-19 sur nos communautés et nos professionnels de la santé a été considérable. Ce don renforcera nos efforts pour fournir de l’équipement de protection individuelle et d’autres fournitures essentielles aux professionnels de la santé qui en ont le plus besoin. »

Le président et chef de la direction de Callaway Golf, Chip Brewer, a déclaré que la société est «fière d’appuyer MedShare et ses efforts de secours continus avec ce don. Nous apprécions le travail incroyable que leur organisation accomplit et nous tenons à remercier tous les professionnels de la santé qui travaillent courageusement, sans relâche et altruiste pour nous garder en sécurité.  » – Service de nouvelles de la ville

Le shérif de San Diego ne voit aucune raison de facturer un acheteur qui portait une capuche de style KKK au supermarché

– 18 h 40, lundi 11 mai 2020

Les autorités ont annoncé lundi qu’elles n’avaient aucun motif d’engager des poursuites pénales contre un épicier qui a déclaré avoir enfilé une cagoule de style Ku Klux Klan dans un supermarché Santee par «frustration» de devoir porter un couvre-visage en public pendant le coronavirus. crise.

L’homme, dont le nom n’a pas été rendu public, a caché sa tête avec le capuchon blanc pointu lors d’une visite le 2 mai dans un magasin Vons dans le bloc 9600 de Mission Gorge Road.

D’autres clients ont pris des photos de l’homme masqué et les ont mises en ligne, suscitant l’indignation des dirigeants locaux et des organisations de défense des droits civiques qui ont condamné l’affichage d’un symbole clé d’un groupe raciste de haine.

Interrogé par des détectives, l’homme « a exprimé sa frustration à l’idée que les gens lui disent ce qu’il peut et ne peut pas faire » pendant la pandémie, selon un communiqué du département du shérif du comté de San Diego.

« Il a dit que porter la cagoule n’était pas censé être une déclaration raciale », indique le communiqué de l’agence. « En résumé, il a dit: » C’était un masque, et c’était stupide. « ‘

Après avoir interrogé des témoins et examiné des preuves vidéo, les enquêteurs ont déterminé qu’il n’y avait pas suffisamment de preuves pour inculper l’homme de tout crime, selon le département. – Service de nouvelles de la ville

La SDSU a décaissé 14 millions de dollars en financement en vertu de la loi CARES aux étudiants pendant une pandémie

– 16 h 50, lundi 11 mai 2020

L’université d’État de San Diego a annoncé lundi qu’un financement fédéral de 14 millions de dollars en vertu de la loi CARES a été décaissé aux étudiants ayant besoin d’une aide financière pendant la pandémie de COVID-19.

Le SDSU a reçu un total de 29 millions de dollars en financement en vertu de la Loi CARES pour les étudiants confrontés à des difficultés financières en raison de la pandémie.

La SDSU affirme que la moitié des fonds ont été versés aux étudiants éligibles à partir de la semaine dernière pour aider à la nourriture, le logement, le matériel de cours, la technologie, les soins de santé et les soins aux enfants, tandis que le reste du financement couvrira les dépenses imprévues liées au COVID-19, la faculté et la rétention du personnel, et un soutien pour d’autres besoins cet automne.

Les bourses allaient de 250 $ à 800 $ pour les étudiants diplômés et de premier cycle admissibles, les montants différant selon le statut d’inscription à temps plein ou à temps partiel, le statut d’admissibilité à l’aide financière et d’autres facteurs.

Les étudiants devaient avoir un FAFSA 2019-2020 au dossier pour être éligibles, mais ceux qui ont déposé un FAFSA mais ont besoin d’un financement supplémentaire ont été invités à remplir une demande en vertu de la loi CARES, avec un financement supplémentaire disponible via l’équipe de réponse à la crise économique. Ceux qui n’ont pas rempli un formulaire FAFSA ont été invités à le faire, s’ils croient qu’ils remplissent les conditions d’éligibilité du titre IV.

« Nous savons à quel point la pandémie a été difficile et financièrement difficile pour certains membres de notre communauté », a déclaré un e-mail à l’échelle du campus aux étudiants de la SDSU. «Nous apprécions le soutien du département américain de l’Éducation, ainsi que de nos nombreux donateurs qui ont fourni leurs propres fonds pour soutenir les étudiants qui ont besoin d’une aide financière immédiate. Nous espérons que les fonds fédéraux offerts, ainsi que d’autres soutiens SDSU a déjà mis en place, permettra de réduire davantage les charges auxquelles sont confrontés nos étudiants et leurs familles.  » – City News Serivce

Les étudiants du Southwestern College sont éligibles au financement de la loi fédérale CARES

– 16 h 45, le lundi 11 mai 2020

Les étudiants de l’Outhwestern College peuvent faire une demande lundi pour obtenir un financement fédéral en vertu de la Loi CARES, faisant de l’école le premier collège communautaire de la région à verser les fonds à ses étudiants.

Selon le collège, 4,62 millions de dollars en subventions fédérales de secours d’urgence sont disponibles pour la nourriture, le logement, le matériel de cours, les soins de santé, la technologie, la garde d’enfants et d’autres ressources indispensables aux étudiants pendant la pandémie de COVID-19.

Les étudiants ne peuvent postuler qu’une seule fois pour le financement. Les candidatures sont disponibles sur https://www.swccd.edu/admissions-and-financial-aid/financial-aid/.

Les étudiants sans papiers, les étudiants DACA, les étudiants AB 540 ou les étudiants inscrits à des cours non crédités ne sont pas éligibles, bien que d’autres sources de financement soient disponibles pour ces étudiants, selon les responsables du Southwestern College.

« La pandémie a provoqué une perturbation sans précédent de nos étudiants et des activités du collège », a déclaré la présidente du conseil d’établissement, Nora E. Vargas. « Même si Southwestern et ses partenaires ont fait beaucoup pour fournir gratuitement de la technologie, de la nourriture et d’autres formes d’assistance, nous sommes reconnaissants de pouvoir mettre ces dollars directement entre les mains de nos étudiants. »

La première distribution de financement est attendue vers le 18 mai et sera versée par le service d’aide financière du collège jusqu’à son épuisement.

Le collège a également fourni des fonds à son corps étudiant par le biais de son programme de subventions d’urgence SWC Cares, qui octroie des fonds allant de 200 $ à 700 $ en fonction d’un certain nombre de facteurs, y compris la perte d’emploi potentielle de l’étudiant ou sa participation aux services de soutien du collège.

« Au Southwestern College, nous nous engageons à continuer de travailler avec notre fondation et d’autres entités pour aider nos étudiants – en particulier nos étudiants qui ont peu d’autres ressources », a déclaré Vargas. « Nous exhortons nos législateurs californiens et le gouverneur à fournir une assistance à nos étudiants immigrants pendant cette pandémie. » – Service de nouvelles de la ville

REGARDER: le maire Faulconer et le président du comté, Cox, exhortent le gouverneur à laisser le comté décider

– 16 h 30, lundi 11 mai 2020

Le maire de San Diego, Kevin Faulconer, et le président du conseil des superviseurs, Greg Cox, ont envoyé une lettre au gouverneur Gavin Newsom lundi, lui demandant instamment de donner au comté de San Diego le pouvoir d’ouvrir des sections de son économie comme ses dirigeants le jugent bon.

Faulconer a publié une copie de la lettre sur sa page Twitter et a écrit: « Exhortant le gouverneur à fournir des mesures cohérentes et réalisables pour une réouverture en toute sécurité. Certaines exigences de l’État ne sont pas réalistes et garderaient les gens au chômage pendant de nombreux mois s’ils étaient laissés en place. il ne s’agit pas de revenir à la normale. Il s’agit de nous permettre de commencer avec la nouvelle norme. « 

Cox et Faulconer soutiennent dans la lettre que les ordres de Newsom ont été confus et mal orientés.

« Certains des » critères de préparation au stade 2 « de l’État publiés le 7 mai, tels que la restriction selon laquelle un comté n’a » aucun décès par COVID-19 au cours des 14 derniers jours « , ne sont pas des normes réalistes qui peuvent être respectées de sitôt dans une large mesure comtés à travers l’État « , ont-ils écrit.

REGARDEZ EN DIRECT ici:

Dimanche, le comté de San Diego a signalé 150 nouveaux cas de COVID-19 et aucun décès. Le nombre total de cas dans le comté est passé à 4 926 et le nombre de décès est resté inchangé à 175.

Les dirigeants disent qu’avec l’éloignement social et d’autres ordonnances de santé publique, la propagation du virus hautement contagieux peut être limitée, tout en notant que des dizaines de San Diegans sans emploi luttent sous des ordres de rester à la maison.

« L’approche progressive actuelle a troublé et frustré des millions de travailleurs qui ont été poussés au chômage et qui ont du mal à joindre les deux bouts », indique leur lettre.

Le taux de chômage estimé dans la région de San Diego est passé à 26,8% la semaine dernière au milieu de la pandémie de coronavirus, un niveau sans précédent depuis la Grande Dépression, selon un rapport publié par l’Association des gouvernements de San Diego.

Selon l’analyse SANDAG, 450 000 personnes sont sans emploi dans la région de San Diego, dont plus de 400 000 ont perdu leur emploi après le 7 mars – ce que les responsables de la santé publique ont identifié comme la date à laquelle la crise sanitaire a commencé localement.

Avec la réouverture de certains commerces de détail – comme les magasins d’articles de sport, les librairies et les fleuristes – vendredi dernier, ces chiffres ont probablement fluctué, mais l’ampleur actuelle et à long terme de la pandémie reste incertaine.

Les restaurants, les bars, les centres commerciaux, les lave-autos et les autres restaurants devraient prochainement rouvrir dans le cadre du plan progressif de Newsom, mais il reste à voir.

« Nos entreprises sont prêtes à rouvrir de manière réfléchie et à s’adapter avec les mesures de protection nécessaires, mais elles doivent avoir cette possibilité », indique la lettre Faulconer / Cox. «Nous savons combien de nos entreprises peuvent fonctionner dans cette nouvelle normalité. Maintenant, nos communautés recherchent des directives claires et pratiques sur« quand ». – Service de nouvelles de la ville

San Diego franchit la barre des 5 000 dans les cas positifs

– 15h30, lundi 11 mai 2020

Le nombre de cas de COVID-19 dans le comté de San Diego a dépassé 5 000 lundi, mais le nombre de morts est resté inchangé pour le deuxième jour consécutif.

Les autorités sanitaires du comté ont signalé 139 nouveaux cas, portant le nombre total de cas confirmés à 5 065. Le nombre de décès s’élève à 175.

En date de lundi, 390 patients COVID-19 étaient hospitalisés, dont 142 dans des unités de soins intensifs. On estime qu’il y a eu 2 966 guérisons de la maladie dans la région depuis le début de la pandémie.

REGARDEZ ici:

Sur les 2 638 tests signalés lundi au comté, 5% étaient de nouveaux cas positifs. Le pourcentage moyen glissant de tests positifs sur 14 jours se rapproche de 5% après une tendance à la baisse significative des pourcentages de cas positifs. Les responsables ont fixé un objectif de 5 200 tests quotidiens, et même avec des tests de week-end à plus de 3 000 par jour, le comté est bien court.

Selon l’agent de santé publique du comté, la tranche d’âge de COVID-19 va de 3 mois à 101 ans.

La Dre Wilma Wooten a signalé 63 éclosions actives dans le comté, dont 41 dans des centres de vie collectifs remontant à 1 344 cas et 89 décès, et 22 éclosions communautaires avec 232 cas et cinq décès qui leur étaient imputables. – Service de nouvelles de la ville

Les États occidentaux demandent au gouvernement fédéral 1 000 milliards de dollars en fonds de secours COVID-19

– 13 h 20, le lundi 11 mai 2020

Dans une nouvelle lettre conjointe au gouvernement fédéral, le Western States Compact – signé par des responsables en Californie, en Oregon, à Washington, au Nevada et au Colorado – demande un financement de l’ordre de 1 billion de dollars pour fournir un soulagement financier, a déclaré le gouverneur Gavin Newsom lors de sa conférence de presse quotidienne.

« C’est l’exigence de ce moment. Cela vous donne une idée de la poussée des besoins que nous ressentons tous – en tant qu’États, en tant que régions, en tant que villes – qui sont nécessaires pour traverser cette pandémie », a-t-il déclaré.

Cela survient une semaine après que les responsables de l’État ont estimé que le budget de la Californie connaîtrait un déficit budgétaire de plus de 54 milliards de dollars en raison de la pandémie de COVID-19.

« Ce ne sont pas seulement les États qui demandent un renflouement. Bien au contraire, ils demandent que nous soutenions ceux dont nous avons le plus besoin en ce moment – nos responsables de la sécurité publique, nos responsables de la santé publique et veillons à ce que nous rendions justice à notre système d’éducation publique, « A expliqué Newsom.

REGARDEZ ici:

En ce qui concerne les écarts régionaux – qui permettent à certains comtés d’entrer plus rapidement dans un déploiement complet de la deuxième étape de l’ordre de mise en place de l’État – Newsom a déclaré que 19 comtés ont fourni leurs plans aux responsables de l’État, et des réunions sont prévues avec neuf comtés supplémentaires.

Mais il a de nouveau souligné que ces décisions seront prises en fonction de paramètres de santé publique.

« Nous travaillerons avec chaque comté, chaque ville, d’une manière pratique et responsable. Mais voici la mise en garde: il s’agit d’une conversation axée sur la santé », a déclaré Newsom.

Le gouverneur prévoit de fournir des directives plus officielles et des mises à jour sur la façon dont les comtés avanceront lors de son briefing quotidien mardi. – Michelle Wiley / KQED

La FDA autorise la société de San Diego à commercialiser le premier test d’antigène de coronavirus

– 15 h 40 Dimanche 10 mai 2020

La Food and Drug Administration a donné à une société de San Diego, Quidel Corp., l’autorisation d’utilisation d’urgence pour son test d’antigène COVID-19.

Company officials said the FDA gave them permission Saturday to market their Sofia 2 SARS Antigen FIA, a rapid point-of-care test for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in nasal specimens from patients meeting the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s criteria for suspected COVID-19 infection.

« These diagnostic tests quickly detect fragments of proteins found on or within the virus by testing samples collected from the nasal cavity using swabs, » the FDA said. « One of the main advantages of an antigen test is the speed of the test, which can provide results in minutes. Positive results from antigen tests are highly accurate, but there is a higher chance of false negatives, so negative results do not rule out infection. »

« In the fight against COVID-19, our employees are truly making a difference, and I am tremendously proud of our organization’s ability to quickly develop and mobilize an accurate rapid antigen test, » said Douglas Bryant, president and chief executive officer of Quidel Corporation.

Currently, there are two types of tests in wide use for COVID-19: polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests and antibody tests.

PCR tests are used to diagnose active cases of the disease and are highly accurate but can take longer to show results. Antibody tests work to see if someone’s body has created antibodies to combat the virus, though health experts warn that antibodies don’t necessarily mean that someone is immune to COVID-19.

Antigen tests don’t work in the same way PCR tests do, but can similarly detect if a person is sick with COVID-19.

Antigen tests are also cheaper and easier to mass-produce because of their simplistic design, the FDA said.

Health experts and lawmakers have said widespread testing is key to safely reopening the country, but warn that current testing falls short. – City News Service

San Diego Assemblywoman Offers Blunt Response To Tesla Chief’s Threats To Leave State

– 3 p.m. Sunday, May 10, 2020

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego, didn’t waste time in responding to Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk’s latest missive in his fight against Alameda County’s shelter-in-place orders due to the coronavirus pandemic.

On Saturday, Musk announced on the Tesla website that the high-end electric car manufacturer is suing the Bay Area county because of the orders, which have kept its plant in Fremont closed. Also on Saturday, he sent a series of tweets in which he castigated Alameda county officials and vowed to move his operations out of state.

“Frankly, this is the final straw,” one of Musk’s tweets read. “Tesla will now move its HQ and future programs to Texas/Nevada immediately.”

Gonzalez’s response came Saturday evening: “F*ck Elon Musk,” she tweeted.

Gonzalez elaborated on her profane tweet Sunday morning, accusing the company of having poor worker safety policies and also benefiting from state subsidies.

“California has highly subsidized a company that has always disregarded worker safety & well-being, has engaged in union busting & bullies public servants,” Gonzalez tweeted. “I probably could’ve expressed my frustration in a less aggressive way. Of course, no one would’ve cared if I tweeted that.”

Gonzalez further pointed out that the coronavirus has impacted the Latino community especially hard.

“And, the deaths from Covid-19 in California are disproportionately Latino. Our communities have been the hardest hit. By far,” she tweeted. “Maybe that’s why we take the public health officials’ warning and directions so seriously.”

In its lawsuit filed in federal court, Tesla accused the Alameda County Health Department of overstepping federal and state coronavirus restrictions when it stopped Tesla from restarting production at its factory. The lawsuit contends Tesla factory workers are allowed to work during California’s stay-at-home order because the facility is considered “critical infrastructure.”

– KPBS Staff And Associated Press Reports

Californians Can Hike, Shop And Golf As Virus Restrictions Ease

– 9:05 a.m. Sunday, May 10, 2020

Hiking to the Hollywood sign and hitting the links is being allowed this weekend as the California county hardest hit by the coronavirus cautiously reopened some sites to recreation-starved stay-at-homers.

Los Angeles County permitted the reopening of trails and golf courses but with social distancing restrictions. For those interested in retail therapy, there was even better news as Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday allowed tens of thousands of stores to reopen, including florist shops, just in time for Mother’s Day.

The city of Los Angeles announced it also was reopening some public spaces, including sprawling Griffith Park, which includes popular paths to the Hollywood sign.

But mounted police and park rangers would be keeping hikers to small, distant groups wearing face coverings. Mayor Eric Garcetti urged “good judgment” and said the city would rely on education and encouragement rather than heavy-handed enforcement.

It was “not our vision to make this like a junior high school dance with people standing too close to each other,” he said.

County beaches could reopen next week with restrictions designed to keep people from thronging the shore and possibly spreading COVID-19.

“We don’t want a stampede to the beaches,” Nicole Mooradian, spokeswoman for the county Department of Beaches and Harbors, told the Los Angeles Times. “Right now we’re planning for Wednesday.”

Los Angeles County, the state’s largest with 10 million residents, has more than half California’s roughly 2,700 virus deaths and has seen dozens of new deaths daily. Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer acknowledged the risk that easing restrictions could lead to a new spike in infections.

“There is a lot at stake,” Ferrer said. “Reopening our county, even slowly, only works if we’re all really committed to being careful.”

But pressure has been building to reopen the state, seven weeks after Newsom’s stay-at-home order shut down nonessential businesses and told 40 million residents to stay mainly in their homes.

More than 4 million people have filed for unemployment benefits. The California Department of Finance is projecting an unemployment rate of 18%, or 46% higher than the peak of the Great Recession a decade ago.

On Friday, Newsom eased the order and said roughly 70% of the state’s businesses can open with restrictions.

Weekend shoppers can visit bookstores, as well as stores for jewelry, toys, clothing, shoes, home supplies and furnishing, sporting goods, antiques and music. People can’t browse but must pick up purchases curbside. Car dealerships also got the nod, with some showroom restrictions.

“There’s a slow trickle of customers, nothing compared to pre-pandemic numbers but it’s a little something,” said Gigi Garcia, who began offering curbside shopping Friday in front of her kids clothing store It Takes A Village in Montrose, a foothill community 15 miles (24 kilometers) north of downtown Los Angeles.

She said business won’t pick up until people can dine in the restaurants surrounding her shop again.

“You have no idea how much business the restaurants bring in for us,” she said. “We all feed off each other.”

While San Francisco and six Bay Area counties have said they won’t ease their own retail restrictions for another week or longer, nearly two dozen counties — many of them small, rural populations with few coronavirus cases — want to move faster than called for under Newsom’s four-phase reopening plan.

The governor said the state will allow that under strict criteria based on the number of cases, deaths and tests.

But the state also sent a stern warning to three Northern California counties that have been defying his orders. Leaders in Yuba, Sutter and Modoc counties have allowed businesses to reopen that are outside the scope of Newsom’s plan, including dine-in restaurants, hair and nail salons and shopping malls.

On Friday, California’s Office of Emergency Services told Yuba, Sutter and Modoc they could lose federal disaster aid if they continued ignoring the governor’s order.

The state Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, which issues permits for hair and nail services, similarly said it was warning violators they could lose licenses.

The Sutter County Board of Supervisors voted Saturday to pass a proposal telling the state the public health officer for the two counties attests they meet state criteria for broader reopening, the Appeal Democrat reported.

California is now in stage two of Newsom’s four-phase process. The governor on Friday did provide a glimmer of hope that phase three, which would allow reopening of such businesses as nail salons, isn’t far off. That phase would also allow for the reopening of churches, movie theaters and some hospitality services.

“It’s not six months away, it’s not even three months away. It may not even be more than a month away,” Newsom said. “We just want to make sure that we have a protocol in place to secure customer safety, employer safety, and allow the businesses to thrive in a way that is sustainable.”

To move more quickly to reopen restaurants, malls, office buildings, childcare facilities and services such as car washes and pet grooming, counties must demonstrate they’ve had zero deaths and just one case per 10,000 residents during a two-week stretch, as well as robust testing and tracing and an ability to house up to 15% of the homeless.

Los Angeles County has no chance of being fast-tracked, said Ferrer, the public health director. A Los Angeles Times analysis found that 95% of Californians live in counties that don’t meet the standards.

“This may apply much more easily for those very small counties that already have in fact seen a significant decrease or may have had no deaths at all to date, » she said. “But for the larger counties, we will only be able to apply for a variance under these conditions when the pandemic is over.”

Meanwhile, a fifth inmate from the California Institution for Men in San Bernardino County died Saturday at an outside hospital from what appeared to be complications related to COVID-19, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement. – Associated Press

Oceanside City Councilman Encourages Residents To Violate County Health Protocols

– 8:20 a.m. Sunday, May 10, 2020

An Oceanside city councilman was castigated by the city’s mayor for urging nonessential businesses and houses of worship to violate COVID-19 protocols by reopening ahead of schedule and asking residents to disregard county- and state-mandated regulations by patronizing them.

« I’m convinced that the constitutional rights of Oceanside residents and businesses have been trampled upon and I choose to take a stand, » Councilman Christopher Rodriguez wrote in a statement. « If your business has been labeled ‘nonessential’ and you share my convictions, then I encourage you to open immediately and to please follow all social-distancing, face mask and sterilization protocols that essential businesses and employees are currently following. »

Rodriguez called on the city’s residents « to safely patronize and support these businesses, » and he called for « nonprofits to serve again, and houses of worship to worship again. »

Oceanside Mayor Peter Weiss responded Saturday, saying Rodriguez was merely expressing his personal views, and did do not reflect the official position of the city, which is adhering to the latest San Diego County Health Officer’s orders allowing retail stores to reopen with curbside and delivery service only.

« The Oceanside City Council did vote to open all businesses as soon as possible, however, the latest County Health Order limits business openings, » Weiss said. « Neither the City Council nor individual council members have the authority to direct any business to violate the county orders. »

He also warned that the city’s police department would enforce the health order. – City News Service

San Diego County Reports 114 New Cases, 7 New Deaths

– 3:00 p.m. Saturday, May 9, 2020

County health officials announced a total of 3,401 new tests performed yesterday, with a total of 114 new positive cases. The total positive cases for San Diego County residents is now 4,776.

938 of the cases required hospitalization, and 291 cases required intensive care.

Seven additional deaths were reported for a total of 175 total deaths for the region. Of the new deaths, the age range was 56 to 101 years old, five were men and all seven cases had underlying health conditions. – Julia Dixon Evans, KPBS/Arts Producer/Editor

More Testing Arrives In Southeast San Diego

– 1:15 p.m. 9 mai 2020

Southeastern San Diego County is getting more COVID-19 testing this weekend, as demand has outstripped testing capacity in the area.

Last weekend, the 24 drive-through testing appointments at the Euclid Medical Center in Southeast San Diego were quickly filled. This led local doctors to call on the county to increase testing capacity in the area.

Supervisor Nathan Fletcher promised that the county would be focusing on that. On Saturday, the county reopened the drive-through site, with more than double the previous amount of available appointments.

On Saturday, drivers arrived in ten-minute increments to check in, get tested, and drive off, all in under twenty minutes.

People experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 still have to receive a doctor’s referral and call 2-1-1 make an appointment at the site, in contrast to the walk-up sites that opened this week in Chula Vista, El Cajon, and Escondido.

On Sunday, the county will open a second site in the area, offering another thirty appointments. – Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS Reporter

Viejas, Pechanga Casinos Announce Reopening Plans

– 12:15 p.m., May 9, 2020

Viejas and Pechanga casinos have announced plans to reopen within the next few weeks. Viejas Casino, in Alpine, said it will open on May 18th. Pechanga Casino, in Temecula, today announced a reopening time frame of June 1.

In its announcement, Viejas said it has enhanced its cleaning protocols, including “hospital grade UVC germicidal technology that will be utilized to sterilize the property each day. To that end, we will be closing from 3:00 am to 7:00 am daily to UVC treat all of our high contact surfaces.” The casino also said it has installed hand sanitizers throughout the resort, and that guests and employees will be required to practice social distancing.

Pechanga said it will be a few days before it confirms its planned June 1 reopening, and warns patrons that the casino will look different in some ways. There will be fewer slot machines and table game positions, and restaurant seating will also be reduced. Employees will be required to wear face coverings, and the casino said guests will likely have to do the same. Pechanga said there will be no concerts or major events in the near term. – Gina Diamante, KPBS News Editor

YMCA Gets $1M To Open Summer Camps

– 11:40 a.m. Saturday, May 9

San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher joined officials from the San Diego YMCA and the San Diego Foundation this morning to announce a $1M grant from the foundation to help the YMCA open its camps for children this summer. The money comes from the foundation’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund, and is the largest single grant from that fund to date.

The grant money will help cover camp scholarships for low-income campers. The YMCA is still determining how many children will benefit from the grant. Fletcher noted the YMCA has historically been the county’s largest summerr child care provider. – Gina Diamante, KPBS News Editor

Pregnant Woman With COVID-19 Delivers Baby While In Coma At UC San Diego Health

– 11:15 a.m. Saturday, May 9, 2020

A pregnant woman admitted to the ICU in late March after testing positive for COVID-19 has delivered a baby, UC San Diego Health officials said in a news release today. The woman was intubated, placed in a coma and delivered her baby via emergency cesarean section.

The baby girl was born healthy at 32 weeks gestation, tested negative for COVID-19 and was cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit.

The mother awoke from her coma almost a month later and learned she had delivered her baby.

« Before we went into the main operating room because of how sick she was, we did a huge pre-brief, with the ICU team, the OR team, the NICU team. We all came together because this was such a big case between mom and baby, just because of the unknown between the two of them — trying to figure out how they could safely get this baby out and get the mom safely recovered postpartum and also with her respiratory and cardiac function at the time, » said Zerrin Hill, clinical NICU nurse at UC San Diego Health.

Mother and baby were discharged this week, a few days before Mother’s Day.

« I’m just trying to recover lost time, » Blanca Morena, the mother, said. Reading from a written statement, she continued, « I want to thank the entire medical team, nurses and doctors, for the great work they have done in helping my Atziri – my baby – when she needed me the most and I couldn’t be there for her. Also, thank you very much to all the medical teams researching and working on this disease since it began to appear. Thanks to all of you I’m a survivor of COVID. » – Julia Dixon Evans, KPBS/Arts Producer/Editor

WATCH LIVE: County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher And YMCA To Announce Summer Camp And Childcare Initiative

– 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 9, 2020

Watch live:

San Diego City, County Direct $10 Million For Frontline Worker Childcare

– 6:14 p.m., Friday, May 8, 2020

The city and county of San Diego announced Friday that $10 million in federal stimulus funding will be directed toward expanding childcare services for workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The city will match $5 million in CARES Act funding approved by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors earlier this week for child care.

« Child care and the economy are fundamentally linked. If parents can access child care, they’re more likely to enter the workforce and of course, to stay employed, » San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer said. « School and child care closures really put an incredible burden on working parents throughout San Diego County. »

WATCH here:

Health care workers, first responders, emergency medical services personnel, grocery store staff and child care providers are among those eligible to receive assistance. Eligibility will be prioritized for at-risk individuals and families with disabilities and special health care needs, Faulconer said.

County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said, « An important part of having people get back to work is ensuring the availability of child care at a time when our schools are closed when grandparents are not the best place for kids to be given their vulnerability because of age, we have to do everything we can to ensure that there are more child care opportunities available for workers as they go back to work. » — City News Service

Chula Vista Church, Local Rabbi, Sue State And Local Officials Over Coronavirus Church Closures

– 4:20 p.m., May 8, 2020

A Chula Vista church, its senior pastor and a Carmel Valley rabbi sued Gov. Gavin Newsom and other state and local officials Friday for not including churches and other places of worship among the state’s Stage 2 sectors cleared for reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

South Bay United Pentecostal Church, the church’s senior pastor Bishop Arthur Hodges III and Rabbi Mendel Polichenco of Chabad of Carmel Valley take issue with places of worship being slotted as a Stage 3 sector within the state’s reopening plan, which would also include « salons, tattoo parlors, gyms, bars and movie theaters, » according to the lawsuit filed in San Diego federal court.

« This new regime, where manufacturing, schools, offices and childcare facilities can reopen — but places of worship cannot — is mindboggling, » the complaint states, referring to industries considered for reopening during the latter part of Stage 2. « The churches and pastors of California are no less `essential’ than its retail, schools and offices to the health and well- being of its residents. »

The lawsuit alleges state and local elected officials have « intentionally denigrated California churches and pastors and people of faith by relegating them to third-class citizenship. »

The suit not only challenges Newsom’s stay-at-home order, but also public health orders issued by the county and city of San Diego, as unconstitutional.

The suit states that many religious activities require in-person services, but are prohibited by the state’s order. – City News Service

Encinitas To Reopen Beach Access Stairs Saturday Morning

– 3:20 p.m., Friday, May 8, 2020

The city of Encinitas will reopen several beach access stairways Saturday morning, but a facial covering will be mandatory when using the narrow staircases.

The stairways located at Swami’s, D Street, Stonesteps and Grandview will open for access to, and egress from the beaches as of 8 a.m. Saturday.

« Please help us keep these access points open by using them only to transit back and forth to the beach, » a city statement reads. « Use the stairs in a single-file fashion, please be respectful while passing others, and remember that as restrictions are beginning to be lifted, elements of the public health order remain in effect. »

Residents are asked not to work out or jog on the stairs to avoid contact in the narrow staircases.

Beacons Beach access will remain closed due to damage from an April 10 storm that dropped more than 4 inches of rain in a short time period, causing erosion damage to the bluff and trail, city officials said. The parks and recreation department is awaiting approval from the California Coastal Commission to allow the necessary repairs to be made to reopen Beacons Beach Trail. City officials said foot traffic could cause further damage, resulting in a longer construction period. — City News Service

Live Blog: San Diego County Records 233 New Coronavirus Cases, 4 Deaths

– 3:15 p.m., Friday, May 8, 2020

San Diego County officials reported 233 new COVID-19 cases and four deaths Friday, even as they announced the loosening of restrictions on several recreational activities.

The new cases represent the highest daily case increase since the pandemic began, but it also coincides with the most daily tests the region has completed — 3,572.

These tests are still far below the county’s recommended 5,200 daily tests to get a complete picture of the local pandemic, but are an improvement. The county and its health care providers have completed more than 72,000 COVID- 19 tests since the pandemic began, with a rolling positive test average of around 6%. Friday’s tests were about 7% positive.

The county’s total cases increased to 4,662 and deaths increased to 169. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 919 people have been hospitalized due to the illness, 289 spending at least some time in intensive care. Since the first case was confirmed in the county, 19.7% of all positive COVID-19 patients have been hospitalized, 6.2% have been sent to intensive care and 3.6% have died. All three percentages have decreased since yesterday, and hospitalizations have trended downward for more than a week.

The number of people at the San Diego Convention Center to be tested has increased to 1,126, with 1,102 testing negative, three positive and 19 « indeterminate. »

The region’s campgrounds will be allowed to open as soon as Saturday with restrictions, including having every other campsite remain empty and only members of a single household allowed to share a site. Communal areas like playgrounds will remain closed. The opening of the campgrounds applies region- wide, but campgrounds under city jurisdictions can be closed by those cities.

The county is also opening tennis and handball courts, provided participants meet social-distancing requirements. Golf carts for single riders, regardless of age, will also be permitted. Additionally, rental of outdoor equipment like bikes, kayaks and surfboards will be allowed again.

Still closed are community pools, which could be among the last places to be reopened, going by the state’s guidance.

County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said that as the state moves forward with « Phase 2 » of its reopening plan, businesses such as dine-in restaurants, malls and swap meets, pet grooming businesses, car washes, outdoor museums and office-based businesses are next on the agenda — with social distancing still required.

Retail stores across the region opened for curbside service today provided they met San Diego County’s guidelines.

The stores able to open Friday included bookstores, music stores, jewelers, shoe stores, toy stores, antique dealers, home and furnishings suppliers, sporting goods, clothing stores and florists, but those businesses will have to operate through curbside service or deliveries.

Manufacturing, warehouse and logistics businesses supporting those businesses were also able to open Friday.

All businesses opening as part of « Phase 2 » must complete a safe reopening plan, found at www.sandiegocounty.gov/coronavirus.html, and post it publicly. All employees must be given copies of the plan.

– City News Service

Californians To Receive Mail-In Ballots For November Election Under Newsom’s Order

– 2 p.m., Friday, May 8, 2020

Every voter in California will receive a mail-in ballot for the November general election under a new executive order signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday.

The move was to ensure all voters can exercise their right to vote as well as maintaining public safety during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Elections and the right to vote are foundational to our democracy,” Newsom said. “No Californian should be forced to risk their health in order to exercise their right to vote.”

WATCH here

Newsom recognized that some people may still need access to in-person voting for a variety of reasons, including people with disabilities or who are experiencing homelessness. His office will work with the Legislature and Secretary of State on how to best implement the plan.

Individual counties have until May 30 to come up with a plan for in-person voting while still preserving public health. — Alexander Nguyen, KPBS web producer

Some Businesses Open For Curbside Service As Coronavirus Cases Reach 4,429

– 8:23 a.m., Friday, May 8, 2020

Retail stores across the region can open for curbside service starting Friday provided they meet San Diego County’s guidelines, but shopping malls, dine-in restaurants, museums and offices will remain closed until the next phase of California’s emergence from the regime of restrictions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The stores able to open today include bookstores, music stores, jewelers, shoe stores, toy stores, antique dealers, home and furnishings suppliers, sporting goods, clothing stores and florists, but these businesses will have to operate through curbside service or deliveries.

Manufacturing, warehouse and logistics businesses supporting those businesses will also be able to open today.

All businesses opening as part of « Phase 2 » must complete a safe reopening plan, found at www.sandiegocounty.gov/coronavirus.html, and post it publicly. All employees must be given copies of the plan.

Two California Department of Motor Vehicles offices — in Hillcrest and San Marcos — are part of the 25 field offices also reopening today throughout the state. The offices at 3960 Normal St. and 590 Rancheros Dr. in San Marcos will operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for Wednesday, when it opens at 9 a.m. They will handle appointments and transactions requiring an in-person visit, such as reinstating a suspended or revoked license, applying for a disabled person parking placard, or paying registration for an impounded vehicle, among other things.

Chula Vista announced that it will reopen its parks and trails today for recreation activities, but face coverings are still required and residents must practice social distancing.

Parking lots are open, but team sporting activities, gathering/congregating in groups and picnics are still prohibited.

These partial reopenings come after health officials reported 110 new COVID-19 cases and seven deaths Thursday, raising the county’s totals to 4,429 cases and 165 deaths. The fatalities include two women and five men. The percentage of deaths among the Latino population continues to rise, up to 41.2% of all deaths, as the mortality rate among the white population has dropped below half of all deaths.

County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher reported the county was amending some of the childcare health orders it had set down in March, including raising the number of children allowed in independent childcare groups with one adult from 10 to 12, and allowing shared use of hard-surfaced areas such as kitchens and bathrooms — provided those common areas saw consistent cleaning. These modifications bring San Diego County more into alignment with California’s recommendations.

For the first two months of the pandemic, the county more or less blazed its own path in an unprecedented situation, but has begun to adhere more strictly to the state’s — and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s — guidance. As a result, Fletcher said, the county would follow the state’s gradual phased opening structure.

A somewhat confusing proviso in Newsom’s reopening structure is the ability of some counties to move faster in reopening businesses like dine-in restaurants, bars and malls if those counties meet certain standards. Fletcher said this standard includes no new COVID-19 related deaths for a period of time that is highly unlikely in any of California’s large, urban counties anytime soon. – City News Service

San Diego To Donate Midway-Area Bridge Shelter To Chula Vista

– 4:30 p.m., Thursday, May 7, 2020

San Diego and Chula Vista announced a partnership Thursday to combat homelessness regionally, which will include the construction of a new shelter in Chula Vista.

The Midway-area bridge shelter operated by Veterans Village of San Diego would be demolished with a replacement built in Chula Vista, pending approval by the Chula Vista City Council, which is expected to discuss the agreement at Tuesday’s meeting.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer said the shelter was built on land offered by the U.S. Navy in 2017 under two conditions — it would serve homeless veterans and be a temporary site.

« Nearly three years later, the time has come to find a new home for this shelter, » Faulconer said.

WATCH here:

Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas said, « the bridge shelter will position Chula Vista and the South County to better respond to public health emergencies like COVID-19 and to provide a better solution to protect our unsheltered and get them the critical services that they need. »

City officials are working to identify funding to operate the proposed shelter, whose site has not been determined, Salas said.

Faulconer said the shelter served up to 200 people, but that figure could change based on Chula Vista’s needs and capabilities.

Residents from all the city’s bridge shelters have been relocated to the San Diego Convention Center during the coronavirus pandemic as part of the city’s Operation Shelter to Home. — City News Service

Some Retail Outlets To Reopen Friday, Dine-In Restaurants Still Closed

– 4:38 p.m., May 7, 2020

As some local retail businesses prepare for a limited reopening on Friday, health officials said Thursday that San Diego County is far from meeting state-mandated criteria for reopening other businesses such as offices or dine-in restaurants.

Bookstores, florists and sporting goods retailers are among the types of businesses allowed to restart business Friday, but they can only offer delivery or curbside pickup. Warehouses and logistics companies that support those retail outlets are also allowed to reopen.

Governor Gavin Newsom has allowed counties to reopen other businesses such as office buildings, dine-in restaurants and car washes — but only if those counties meet strict criteria surrounding testing, tracing, hospital capacity and zero deaths from COVID-19 in the past two weeks. County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said no large urban county was meeting that goal.

« That does not stop us from moving forward with the retail, that does not stop us from moving forward with the warehouse and the logistics, » he said. « It just stops us from moving beyond what the state of California has outlined. »

County officials also announced a modest change to its public health order that would allow childcare facilities serving essential workers to take kids in groups of 12, rather than 10, in alignment with state guidelines.

« We are aware that in order to reopen our economy we have to simultaneously work with those childcare providers to make sure that (we have) safe environments for kids that are adhering to what we think are the best practices that are available, » he said.

The county reported 110 new positive cases of the coronavirus, bringing the total to 4,429, and seven new deaths, bringing the local death toll to 165. – KPBS metro reporter Andrew Bowen

Gov. Newsom Loosens Stay-Home Order, Allows Some Retailers To Reopen With Limits

– 1 p.m., Thursday, May 7, 2020

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued the broadest loosening of his stay-at-home order so far, allowing some retailers to reopen but not have customers in stores.

The announcement Thursday was the result of improvement in battling the coronavirus, and it moves California into the second phase of a methodical four-step process to full reopening.

It covers only a sliver of retail businesses as well as manufacturers’ warehouses considered low risk for the virus. Stores that will be allowed to open with curbside service if they meet other safety requirements include bookstores, clothing stores, florists and sporting goods stores.

Higher-risk businesses like hair salons and gyms, offices and dining in restaurants will come later. — Associated Press

County Unemployment Numbers Pass Great Depression Levels, SANDAG Report Finds

– 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The San Diego region’s estimated unemployment rate has risen to 26.8% amid the coronavirus pandemic, a high not seen since the Great Depression, according to a report released Wednesday by the San Diego Association of Governments.

The report was prepared with data from April 18-25, before Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an order to open some retail, manufacturing and logistics businesses this Friday.

« The phased reopening may signal that the pandemic curve is flattening, and economic improvement may occur in the next few weeks, » the report reads.

Although the number of unemployed is likely to increase with the next two weeks’ data, SANDAG’s chief economist, Ray Major, said the numbers could start dropping by May 11 as people get back to work.

On March 7, the unemployment rate in the county was 3.4%.

According to the SANDAG analysis, 450,000 people are out of work in the San Diego region, more than 400,000 of whom lost employment after March 7 — which public health officials have pinpointed as the date the health crisis began locally.

A few ZIP codes are seeing a more significant impact. Logan Heights leads the county in unemployment, with 37.5% of residents out of work. Golden Hill, City Heights, the College area and San Ysidro all have more than 32% unemployment and National City has more than 31% unemployed.

« Combined, these six ZIP codes total about 53,000 unemployed residents, compared to 52,000 countywide before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, » the report states.

The industries most severely impacted by COVID-19 and various stay-at-home and social distancing orders associated with the pandemic include ones in which close contact is required, such as hotel, restaurant, personal care, transportation and entertainment jobs.

ZIP codes with a higher percentage of office workers who can work from home are less severely impacted by unemployment. Those areas include West Rancho Bernardo, Eastlake, Carmel Valley, Del Mar, Sorrento Valley and Scripps Ranch — all of which have 22% or less unemployment. — City News Service

WATCH: Mayor To Highlight Home Caregivers On Frontlines, Invite Seniors to Join Check-in Program

– 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 5, 2020

San Diego County Records 159 New Coronavirus Cases, 8 Deaths

– 3:14 p.m., Wednesday, May 6, 2020

San Diego County continues to prepare for some businesses to reopen Friday, even as Wednesday’s data showed a slight increase in the rate of COVID-19 positive-testing individuals.

Local health officials reported 159 new cases and eight deaths Wednesday, raising the county totals to 4,319 cases and 158 deaths.

County Chairman Greg Cox said while the county prepared to meet Gov. Gavin Newsom’s orders to reopen some retail, manufacturing and logistics businesses, it ultimately held power on which were going to open.

Some businesses might not have the staff, supplies or protocols in place to safely reopen, and the county would not allow those unprepared businesses to open in an unsafe manner « no matter what the governor says, » Cox said.

To avoid that uncomfortable situation, he encouraged business owners to visit www.sandiegocounty.gov/coronavirus.html to find a « safe reopening plan » template to help prepare.

County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said employers and employees should get used to increased health surveillance, including daily temperature checks. He said the best way to prevent the spread of the illness is « changing our individual behavior, » but that by sending home sick employees, businesses could help.

City Councilman Scott Sherman urged county officials to give San Diegans the right to choose.

« San Diegans have sacrificed much to flatten the curve and many are now struggling. Our region has shown that we can act responsibly, » he said. « I urge the County Board of Supervisors to begin immediate work so our region can move more quickly through phase two and open more businesses. »

Wednesday’s deaths included three women in their 70s to 80s and seven men ranging from their 40s to their 80s.

The county and its health partners completed 2,260 tests Wednesday, raising the total completed tests to 65,737. Of those, around 7% returned positive, a slightly higher rate than the rolling average.

On Wednesday, 363 COVID-19 positive individuals were in the hospital, 133 in intensive care. Since the health crisis began, 882 people with novel coronavirus have been admitted to the hospital, 281 of whom were sent to the ICU. The county estimates 2,333 people have recovered from the illness.

These numbers translate to 20.4% of all positive-testing individuals being hospitalized, 6.5% spending at least some time in intensive care and 3.7% dying of COVID-19.

According to data presented by Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county’s public health officer, men are more likely to die of the illness — they represent 56.3% of the fatalities — and people identified as white make up around 49% of the deaths, with Latinos not far behind at 39% of all COVID-19 deaths in the county.

On Tuesday, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a framework for safely reopening businesses amid the pandemic. As part of the plan, the county will send a letter to Newsom requesting « total local control » on COVID-19 decisions.

The framework also offers guidelines on employee and customer safety, sanitation, physical distancing, and general business practices and communications. Recommendations were based on input from the Responsible COVID- 19 Economic Reopening Advisory Group, which includes county supervisors, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, small business owners and construction industry associations.

Approval of the business guidelines was just one of several COVID-19 related actions the board tackled during its regular meeting.

Supervisors also unanimously approved $5 million in emergency childcare vouchers available to essential front-line workers and families. The money will come from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

Supervisor Diane Jacob made an amendment to make the funds contingent on the city of San Diego also contributing $5 million from its CARES Act funding, for a total of $10 million.

The board also unanimously approved a six-month waiver of fees for inspections associated with environmental health, agriculture weights and measures, plan checks for tenant improvements, and air pollution control permit renewals.

Andy Pease, Health and Human Services Administration finance director, told supervisors the county will receive $334 million from the CARES Act to cover costs between March 1 and Dec. 30.

He said the money will not cover revenue losses or shortfalls, and added the county is now on track to spend $100 million on efforts to combat the virus, and costs will continue to rise.

Tracy Sandoval, county finance and general government manager, said her office estimates a total revenue shortfall of between $265 million and $395 million, and said it will be imperative for governments to develop long-term strategies to weather the downturn.

A San Diego Association of Governments study released Wednesday found that local freeway traffic has decreased by 44% since the COVID-19 stay at home orders began in the San Diego region, including 52% on State Route 163 and 50% on Interstate 5.

The SANDAG research and program management team analyzed travel on San Diego County freeways from mid-March to mid-April this year, and when compared to the same time last year, traffic volumes at eight hotspots decreased an average 41 percent. Additionally, speeds during peak periods averaged 30 mph higher.– City News Service

California Launches Online Tool to Find COVID-19 Testing Near You

– 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced during his Wednesday briefing that the state has launched a new online tool for people to access and schedule COVID-19 testing.

The new GIS tool allows people to enter a zip code to find testing sites nearby and make reservations for an appointment. Newsom said this new tool will allow officials to better visualize testing « deserts, » which could help address those discrepancies.

Newsom also announced the signing of an executive order that extends workers compensation benefits to all sectors of the economy.

WATCH here:

« If you’ve tested positive, or been diagnosed with COVID-19 by a physician, you are eligible for this worker’s comp benefit, » Newsom said. He clarified that employers could rebut the claim under strict conditions.

Another executive order signed Wednesday will extend the penalty waiver on residential property taxes through May 2021 for those experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. The deadline for small-business property taxes has been extended through the end of the month.

As for the daily state numbers, the governor said 94 people have died from COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, while hospitalizations and ICU admissions are slightly down.

Newsom also said he would make public the contract between the state and a Chinese manufacturer to acquire personal protective equipment after several outlets reported having their records requests stonewalled by his administration. — Michelle Wiley/KQED

Carlsbad Approves $5 Million Package For Struggling Local Businesses

– 12:18 p.m., Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Carlsbad City Council has approved a $5 million economic revitalization package to help businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and will accept applications for the relief Wednesday through May 25.

The majority of the funding, $4.4 million, is for micro loans and small business recovery loans directly to Carlsbad small businesses.

To qualify for the loans, businesses must hold a valid Carlsbad business license as of March 1, 2020, and be in good standing with the city. Applicants who have already applied for federal assistance may not use city loan money for costs covered by the federal assistance. Loans should be used for operational expenses such as rent, payroll, mortgage interest and utilities, a city statement said.

Businesses interested in the loans can reach out to business@carlsbadca.gov with questions and for applications.

Micro loans are available for businesses with gross revenue of $2 million or less and 15 employees or fewer. The loan amounts will be between $5,000 and $10,000.

Small business recovery loans are available for businesses with gross revenue of $3 million or less and 50 or fewer employees with loan amounts between $10,000 and $25,000.

The city will contract with a third-party organization specializing in these kinds of loan programs, officials said. – City News Service

San Diego’s Illumina Donates $1 Million to Front-Line Workers, Local Students

– 6:45 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2020

San Diego biotechology company Illumina announced Tuesday it is donating $1 million to the region’s front-line workers affected by COVID-19 and local K-12 students.

The donation is composed of $300,000 for front-line workers’ « critical needs » such as personal protective equipment, and $700,000 to support distance learning, technology and STEAM education for San Diego-area students.

« This donation we’re announcing today is going to change lives right here in San Diego, » San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer said during an afternoon news conference.

Illumina CEO Sam Samad said: « From individuals to communities, from companies to countries, we’re finding ways to support each other during this challenging time in order to address this pandemic together. In fact, the amount of innovation and service to others is one of the brightest silver linings of this time. »

The mayor said the funds would help students in their ongoing transition to distance learning while schools are closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly those who lack regular access to computers and/or the internet.

San Diego Unified Superintendent Cindy Marten said the school district has provided more than 800,000 meals and distributed more than 50,000 Chromebooks in response to the pandemic. — City News Service

San Diego County Records 140 New Coronavirus Cases, 6 Deaths

– 4:35 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2020

County supervisors Tuesday unanimously voted to adopt a framework to reopen businesses in a safe manner during the coronavirus pandemic, as health officials announced 140 new cases of COVID-19 and six additional deaths, raising the county’s totals to 4,160 cases and 150 deaths.

The six deaths were three women and three men, ranging in age from 62 to 95, according to officials with San Diego Health Services.

As part of the framework plan, the county will send a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed by Supervisor Dianne Jacob requesting « total local control » on COVID-19 decisions.

The framework also offers guidelines on employee and customer safety, sanitation, physical distancing, and general business practices and communications. Recommendations were based on input from the Responsible Covid- 19 Economic Reopening Advisory Group, which includes county supervisors, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, small business owners and construction industry associations.

Faulconer said the group is bipartisan, bi-national and features a diverse makeup. He also thanked business groups and organizations « who jumped in with both feet » to offer input.

« We are not out of the woods yet, but what we are doing in San Diego is working, » the mayor added.

Board Chairman Greg Cox said it has not been easy for businesses to adapt, but the framework allows them to reopen smoothly and safely.

During the meeting, more than a few residents expressed their frustrations with Newsom’s orders shuttering non-essential businesses, along with the county’s rule requiring residents to wear masks.

Timothy Ryan, an attorney based in Coronado, said the notion that a public official can determine whether a business is essential is offensive. « This shutdown is no longer about public health, but politics, » he added.

Others told board members they have taken all the necessary steps to ensure their businesses are safe for customers.

After the vote, Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said it’s important to « start the difficult work of rebuilding our economy, but it is vital that it be done right. »

Supervisor Jim Desmond said the county should consider an ombudsman to help answer questions about the business guidelines.

Tuesday’s meeting was the fourth held via teleconference since the pandemic began, with supervisors voting remotely.

Guidelines for businesses was just one of several COVID-19 related actions the board tackled during its regular meeting. – City News Service

Newsom Says ‘New Normal’ On the Horizon as Retail Restrictions Are Eased

– 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2020

As California moves into the next phase of easing shelter-in-place restrictions, Gov. Gavin Newsom met with a small business owner in Sacramento during his daily briefing on Tuesday. The governor said she is one of many that will be able to reopen their store — with limitations — starting Friday.

On Monday, Newsom announced that the state would begin slowly moving into stage two of the stay-at-home order, allowing retail businesses to gradually open. How California residents go about this next phase will determine if the state has to toggle back on easing restrictions, or can continue to move forward.

“We’re not going back to normal. It’s back to new normal with adaptations and modifications until we get to immunity until we get to a vaccine,” Newsom said.

In good news, the governor said the number of new positive cases has remained steady over the past several days, despite a significant increase in the number of tests. Additionally, tens of millions of new masks have been coming into the state on a weekly basis, which Newsom called « foundational » for moving into the next stage.

California has distributed 14.2 million surgical masks since the beginning of the pandemic, but the state has acquired 19.3 million masks over the past few days. Newsom hopes to begin distributing these masks to grocery, retail and transit workers.

“I can assure you, in all of these months, we have never had so many procedure masks, surgical masks, in our possession, now able to be distributed all across the state of California,” Newsom said.

— Audrey Garces/KQED

County, City Leaders, Discuss Proposed Guidelines For Economy Reopening

– 6:30 p.m., Monday, May 4, 2020

San Diego county and city leaders unveiled a plan Monday that will allow local businesses to safely reopen and operate once state public health restrictions are lifted.

The guidelines aimed at maintaining employee and customer safety were developed by the Responsible COVID-19 Economic Reopening Advisory Group — RECOVER — which consists of nearly 30 local business and civic leaders from various industries.

The group’s recommendations, in development since mid-April, focus on five areas — employee health, safe worksite entry, sanitation, workplace distancing and employee training.

WATCH here:

The announcement followed Gov. Gavin Newsom’s outlining of a plan to ease California’s stay-at-home order later this week, allowing some « lower- risk » retail stores to reopen with restricted operations. Further details are expected to be released this week.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer said if public health orders are eased for San Diego County, the RECOVER group’s plan will allow local businesses to reopen responsibly.

« San Diego is ready to recover, » said Faulconer, who called the plan « a strategy that helps put San Diego back to work and helps businesses get a head start on their reopening plans. »

Further clarification on the county’s plan is expected at Tuesday’s San Diego County Board of Supervisors meeting when the board is expected to vote on a Business Safety Framework to be adopted by all businesses once the state restrictions are lifted.

Businesses will need to demonstrate they can reopen and operate within state and county public health guidelines.

County Supervisor Greg Cox said the timing of the reopening is out of county leaders’ hands, but « what we can do is help make it easier for businesses to reopen safely and smartly and smoothly as soon as possible if they have a set of guidelines to work from. » — City News Service

San Diego County Reports 93 New Coronavirus Cases, 5 Deaths

– 3:00 p.m., Monday, May 4, 2020

San Diego County health officials reported 93 new COVID-19 cases and five additional deaths Monday as it prepares to enter « Phase 2 » of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to reopen the state.

The county’s coronavirus totals now stand at 4,020 confirmed cases and 144 deaths, but officials said numbers were trending in the right direction and thanked San Diegans for behaving responsibly this weekend as beaches opened — allaying fears of overcrowding and subsequent state-mandated closures.

County Supervisors Greg Cox and Nathan Fletcher announced they are planning to introduce a framework to reopen nonessential businesses at Tuesday’s board morning, and the county is preparing to loosen business restrictions on some retail stores in conjunction with the state on Friday.

Newsom acknowledged the cooperation of the majority of the state’s residents so far.

« Millions of Californians answered the call to stay home and thanks to them, we are in a position to begin moving into our next stage of modifying our stay at home order, » he said at a midday televised briefing. « But make no mistake — this virus isn’t gone. It’s still dangerous and poses a significant public health risk. »

Watch the press conference here:

San Diego Republicans claimed a victory with Newsom’s loosening of restrictions.

« After several weeks of inaction, the governor, seemingly rattled at today’s press conference, finally acknowledged that Californians can be trusted to be responsible, » said Tony Krvaric, chairman of the Republican Party of San Diego County.

Democrats also claimed the move as a win.

« Moving to stage two signals another step in the gradual reopening of California, » said Assemblyman Todd Gloria, D-San Diego. « Under state guidance and with ratification by county leaders, retail stores will be able to open with modifications, as well as the associated manufacturing and supply chains. This means more small businesses will get to open and more Californians will be able to get back to work. »

Even with a future course charted for reopening the state, officials reminded residents to be diligent about social distancing and facial coverings.

« Keep in mind we haven’t crossed a finish line, » Fletcher said. « This is not the beginning of the end, rather the end of the beginning. We will not truly be out of the weeds until we have a vaccine of therapeutic treatments. »

Cox agreed. The public’s compliance has « pulled us away from the edge, » but the county is still in the « danger zone, » he said.

State public health authorities are opening testing locations in partnership with the county’s health agency starting Tuesday. The initial locations will be at Grossmont College, the former Sears building in Chula Vista and the county’s North Inland Live Well Center in Escondido. Testing will be by appointment only. To secure a spot, visit Lhi.care/covidtesting or call 888-634-1123 weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

The facilities could boost the county’s testing numbers by 800 daily. The county is working toward a goal of 5,200 tests per day, according to Fletcher.

« While state and federal guidelines call for `robust testing,’ there is no hard and fast rule for the exact number, » he said Sunday. « We’ve chosen to use a Harvard study to identify our goal: 5,200 tests per day in San Diego County. We’re working with our new testing task force to meet that goal. »

The county and its health partners reported the results of 1,293 tests Monday, around 7% of which were positive. A total of 61,171 tests have been completed in the region since the pandemic began. Case tracking staff have completed a cumulative 4,903 contact investigations, and 552 people have been housed in public health hotel rooms after being exposed to the virus.

The latest deaths involved three women in their 70s and 80s and two men in their 60s and 80s, according to Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county’s public health officer.

The county estimates 2,181 people have recovered from COVID-19, 842 have been hospitalized and 271 have spent at least some time in intensive care.

Of all 4,020 positive-testing individuals, 20.9% have been hospitalized, 6.7% have been admitted to the ICU and 3.6% have died.

Regional hospitals reported 3,372 beds in use Monday, and Fletcher said that number is expected to rise as people who have been putting off medical care begin returning to emergency rooms and hospitals begin scheduling elective procedures again.

– City News Service

Newsom Says Some Business May Reopen This Week

– 12:45 p.m., Monday, May 4, 2020

California Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state will move into the second phase of his reopening plan as early as Friday, allowing lower-risk workplaces to resume operations with modifications to help prevent spread of the coronavirus.

WATCH here:

The plan outlined Monday includes a range of retailers that would be permitted to reopen, including clothing stores, sporting goods and florists. It did not immediately include dine-in eating at restaurants and reopening of offices, which were in previously stated Phase 2 plans.

Newsom says a key consideration for entering Phase 2 is the ability for health authorities to test and conduct contact tracing of infections. — Associated Press

First Weekend Of Open Beaches In San Diego Passes Without Major Incident

– 6:40 p.m., Sunday May 3, 2020

San Diego’s first weekend of open beaches since the coronavirus pandemic forced their closure went by without major incident.

Mayor Kevin Faulconer made an appearance at the Pacific Beach lifeguard station Sunday, reminding the public the beach is open for walking, running, swimming, surfing and paddleboarding only.

“Attention on the beach, the stay at home order continues to be in effect. Please do not sit or congregate on the beach,” Faulconer said over the loud speaker. “Thank you for your cooperation. Vous faites un excellent travail. Stay classy, San Diego.”

– Andrew Bowen, KPBS Metro Reporter

SDPD Encourages San Diegans To Avoid Sunset Cliffs

– 5:15 p.m., Sunday May 3, 2020

San Diego Police Department officials are asking Sunset Cliffs visitors to stay away because the crowds are getting too big in the evening.

SDPD posted the advisory on Facebook, encouraging visitors to steer clear of the Sunset Cliffs area along the west curbline of the 700 to 900 block of Sunset Cliffs; and the 4500 block of Ladera Street. “No parking” signs have been posted.“Friendly reminder, San Diego County has 70 awesome miles of coastline – please consider choosing a different location,” the post reads.

Also on Sunday, the San Diego Fire Rescue Department reported the rescue of a Navy sailor from Sunset Cliffs.

The man, who recently got out of quarantine, got too close to the water about 12:30 a.m. while watching the bioluminescence and was pulled into the ocean by a large wave. Lifeguards rescued him from the water and he suffered some cuts and scrapes, SFRD officials said.SDPD Chief David Nisleit said last week many were still visiting the area at sunset and staying after to watch the red tide, « I understand it is a great thing to see, but we are inundating the area of Sunset Cliffs, and we’re not being able to do that physical distancing. »

Nisleit said there would be extra police officers patrolling Sunset Cliffs through the weekend. -City News Service

San Diego County Reports 85 New Coronavirus Cases, One Additional Death

– 4:05 p.m., Sunday May 3, 2020

San Diego County officials are reporting 85 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday and one new death.

The county has now reported a total of 3,927 coronavirus cases and 139 deaths.

The new death reported was that of an 81-year-old woman who had underlying health conditions, officials said.

In total, 828 or about 21% of cases,have required hospitalization, with about 7% of patients being placed in intensive care, according to a county news release. – KPBS Staff

Lake Poway Recreation Area Reopens With Restrictions on Sunday

– 1:25 p.m., Sunday May 3, 2020

On Sunday, Lake Poway became the county’s latest large recreation area to reopen following San Diego County’s order to relax certain park restrictions in the ongoing stay-at-home order.

The reopening comes with the following restrictions: Parking lots will only be filled to half the capacity; boating and the archery range are closed and the Fisherman’s Trailhead is also cordoned off to hikers, according to the City of Poway’s website. Restrooms and picnic areas are open.

Regular hours of 6 a.m. until sunset resume on Monday. – KPBS Staff

California Lawmakers Set To Return As Coronavirus Lingers

– 12 p.m., Sunday May 3, 2020

California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon is calling lawmakers back to the Capitol on Monday, restarting a legislative session interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, even as a handful of lawmakers plan to stay home for fear of contracting or spreading the disease.

But it won’t be business as usual for California’s full-time Legislature after lawmakers agreed to their first sustained unscheduled work stoppage in 158 years. They’ll be limited to having just one staff person with them and nurses will check their temperatures at the door, among other precautions.

Atop the new to-do list for lawmakers: softening the economic fallout from the pandemic.

In the state Senate, President Pro Tem Toni Atkins is not bringing members back until May 11 and has allowed members to participate in committee meetings via video conferencing. The Senate is considering letting members cast votes remotely once the full session resumes.

But Rendon says all Assembly members must be at the Capitol to participate in committee hearings and floor sessions, based on legal advice that any votes taken remotely “would likely be challenged in the courts and thrown out.”

He said anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable coming is “encouraged to stay home. We are definitely not forcing anybody to come to work.”

It’s a tough choice for the Assembly members who are over 65, putting them at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill if they contract the coronavirus.

Assemblyman Bill Quirk, a Hayward Democrat, says he will stay home Monday. The 73-year-old is in good health but lives in a retirement community where many are on oxygen or have other health problems.

Quirk said he will watch committee hearings online and work with his staff to win approval for his bills in committee. But his influence will be limited because he won’t be able to vote.

“I have urged the speaker to consider remote participation, » he said. “Allowing members to participate remotely would allow everyone to have a full and fair opportunity to participate in the legislative process. »

The only thing lawmakers absolutely must do is pass an operating budget, and time is running out. Lawmakers face a June 15 deadline for approval or they will forfeit their salaries. Newsom has scrapped his January budget proposal and will reveal a new one on May 14, giving lawmakers about a month.

With such a compressed calendar, lawmakers are having to rethink their policy goals. The Assembly’s 32 committees must share the three hearing rooms large enough for lawmakers and the public to stay at least 6 feet (1.8 meters) apart, likely limiting the number of bills they can consider.

Only 14 of the roughly 100 bills before the Assembly Higher Education Committee will be heard this year, committee chairman Jose Medina said.

“Priorities have shifted,” said Medina, 67, who decided to return after consulting with his family and doctor.

Before the crisis hit, legislative leaders wanted to borrow about $4 billion to prepare California for climate change disasters such as wildfires and flooding.

Now, lawmakers are discussing adding more money and projects to the bill to jump start the struggling economy, what many believe is the best option for a state stimulus package. While Congress can pass trillion-dollar aid packages to give cash to businesses and citizens, the California Constitution requires a balanced budget.

Democratic Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia, who wrote the Assembly’s version of the climate change borrowing proposal, said the spending can still focus on the environment, but create jobs through things like construction to protect coastal communities against sea level rise.

“We just hope that the governor also sees it this way and we can do something to get Californians back to work, » he said.

But lawmakers still have other priorities, including homelessness, which Newsom devoted his entire State of the State address to earlier this year.

A high-profile housing bill from Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener would allow multi-family homes to go up in single-family neighborhoods.

“We had a housing crisis before COVID, and the housing crisis has not gone away and in many ways COVID has made it worse,” said Weiner, of San Francisco.

More than 2,100 Californians have died from coronavirus and more than 53,000 have been confirmed to have it, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, though the number of infections is thought to be far higher because of a shortage of testing.

For the vast majority of people, coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death. – Associated Press

County Supervisor Says More Testing Is On The Way For Southeast San Diego After Drive-Through Test Site Falls Short Of Need

– 6:15 p.m., Saturday May 2, 2020

County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher wrote on Twitter that more testing is on the way to Southeast San Diego after KPBS reported that a temporary drive-through testing site was not meeting the need for testing in the working class neighborhood.

The drive-through test site outside of the Euclid Medical Center was open for six hours on Saturday. Each test took ten minutes — meaning that only 24 people could be tested at the site on Saturday.

The testing was by appointment-only. Those who wanted to be tested had to call 211 to be screened beforehand.

“Many folks in this community are frontline personnel, they have to work,” said Dr. Rodney Hood, a primary care physician at the Euclid Medical Center, who reached out to the county to set up the testing today. “Many are living in mutli-generational environments where there are other folks who might be sick. And they’re getting exposed. This is a high-risk population, and more extensive testing needs to be done.”

Dr. Hood says people tried to make appointments, and were qualified to do so through screening, but there weren’t enough time slots available.

“I think this is an important first step, but I believe that after this, it really has to be on a more regular basis,” Dr. Hood told KPBS. – Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS reporter

Beachgoers Appear To Maintain Social Distancing and Other Guidelines During First Weekend of Beach Reopening

– 5:15 p.m., Saturday May 2, 2020

Moonlight Beach in Encinitas was filled with people on Saturday, but it appeared that most of them were either swimming, surfing, walking apart from one another, or exercising.

All of those fall within local guidelines for the reopening of the beach.

A mother and child were told by a lifeguard that playing in the sand wasn’t permitted as the lifeguard station blasted periodic reminders to follow guidelines.

Signs posted at all entrances also reminded beachgoers to cover their face when possible, and to keep six feet apart. But not all guidance was clear to everyone.

Torin, who only gave his first name, tried to fish from the beach, something he said he cleared with the sheriff’s department. But lifeguards told him it wasn’t allowed.

“There’s signs here that say what you’re allowed to do and what you’re not allowed to do, fishing is not on that sign,” Torin told KPBS. He said he had walked a mile down the beach to get away from the crowds before being told he couldn’t fish.

Parking lots at the beaches remained closed. – Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS reporter

San Diego County Reports 131 More COVID-19 Cases, Five More Deaths

– 3:30 p.m., Saturday, May 2, 2020

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in San Diego County increased by 131 on Saturday, for a total of 3,842 cases. There were also five additional deaths, bringing the region’s total to 138. The county health department says the latest victims ranged in age from 54 to 100 years old. Three were men and two were women; four had underlying medical conditions.

One death from yesterday’s count was found to be a nonresident and removed from total count.

811 (21.1 percent of cases) have required hospitalization, and 259 (6.7 percent of all cases) had to be placed in intensive care.

State public health authorities announced new COVID-19 testing locations at Grossmont College and the County’s North Inland Live Well Center in Escondido beginning Tuesday. Testing is by appointment only: Schedule online here or by calling 888-634-1123. – Julia Dixon Evans, KPBS Arts Calendar Editor/Producer

Pelosi And McConnell Decline Quick COVID-19 Tests

– 3:00 p.m., Saturday, May 2, 2020

The top Republican and Democrat in Congress say they’re respectfully declining an offer of quick COVID-19 tests offered by President Donald Trump’s administration. Senate leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi say in a statement they want the equipment to go to front-line facilities instead. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar tweeted Friday that three rapid-testing machines and 1,000 tests were being sent for the Senate to use next week. Limited testing for lawmakers has become an issue in decisions about when they should return to Washington. – Associated Press

Senate Returns On Monday But House Stays Closed

– 2:45 p.m., Saturday, May 2, 2020

The Senate reopens on Monday as the coronavirus crisis rages and the House stays shuttered. It’s a politically and physically fraught move by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, convening 100 senators during a pandemic. The Senate’s return gives President Donald Trump the imagery he wants of America getting back to work. But the Washington, D.C., region is still under stay-home orders as a virus hot spot. The House was advised by the attending physician on Capitol Hill to keep its more than 400 members away. Democrats say if the Senate is in session it needs to focus on the response to COVID-19. Instead, the agenda is focused on confirmation hearings for the president’s nominees. – Associated Press

City Of Carlsbad Details Reopening Of Parks, Trails, Beaches And Golf Courses

– 11 a.m., Saturday, May 2, 2020

On Friday, the Carlsbad City Council approved plans and timelines to ease restrictions on public spaces due to COVID-19 public health concerns. Public spaces must adhere to county and state public health orders, including new face covering rules.

RELATED: Why And When San Diegans Must Wear Facial Coverings Beginning May 1

Beaches: Open at earliest Monday at 9 a.m., in coordination with State Parks

The majority of the beaches in the city of Carlsbad are owned and maintained by California State Parks. Beaches will not open before Monday at 9 a.m., and specific timing will depend on the State Parks. An announcement has not been made yet. When formally reopened, new operating hours will be 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

What’s allowed: Walking, running, swimming, kayaking, surfing, bodyboarding, body surfing, paddleboarding, snorkeling and scuba diving from the shore is allowed. Paddleboarding and kayaking are permitted at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon entrances. Fishing is only allowed from a kayak or boat.

What’s not allowed: No stopping, sitting or lying down on the beach. No gatherings, games, yoga, calisthenics, or sports of any kind or activities that involve staying in one place.

Carlsbad parks: Open to limited use starting Monday May 4 at 2 p.m.

Carlsbad-owned parks will reopen to limited, « passive » use starting Monday, May 4, at 2 p.m. The modified operating hours will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Passive use allows only walking, jogging or sitting on the grass. No active use, including sports games of any type, even among families. Available parking spaces will be reduced by at least half, and all community centers, aquatic centers, athletic fields, sports courts, playgrounds, dog parks, skate parks and similar areas remain closed. For a complete list of parks affected, visit the City of Carlsbad’s COVID-19 page.

City-owned trails: Open Monday May 4, at 2 p.m.

Modified operating hours for the city of Carlsbad trails will be 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Batiquitos Lagoon Trail is not owned or managed by the city and remains closed.

Crossings at Carlsbad Golf Course: Open Saturday May 2, at 8 a.m.

The city-owned Crossings golf course will reopen but all employees and patrols will be required to undergo temperature screening. No golf carts (unless needed to meet ADA requirements), congregating or sit-down food service will be allowed. – Julia Dixon Evans, KPBS Arts Calendar Editor/Producer

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