Latest From California Healthline:
California Healthline Original Stories
Travel on Thanksgiving? Pass the COVID
Staying home in your bubble is the safest advice, but family get-togethers, especially at the holidays, mean an awful lot. Even Dr. Anthony Fauci has gone back and forth on whether to have his daughters fly in for Thanksgiving. (Anna Almendrala, )
Your Ballots Really Are Safe, Elections Officials Say: Nervous voters in California are walking their mail-in ballots into elections departments so they can hand them to an official. But there’s no need to worry once a ballot is mailed or placed in an official drop box, elections officials say, because the state’s safety protocol is rigorous. “Our teams go out daily and use GPS on their phones to be tracked via satellite, and we have random routes every day,” said Neal Kelley, registrar of voters in Orange County. Plus, he says, “we are the only county that put in fire suppression and liquid protection.” Read more from CalMatters.
Amusement Parks May Sue State Over Shutdowns: California theme parks are considering legal action and keeping “all options open” after state officials issued reopening guidelines that could keep the major tourist destinations closed until early 2021 or even next summer. Read more from the Orange County Register.
Below, check out the roundup of California Healthline’s coverage. For today's national health news, read KHN's Morning Briefing.
More News From Across The State
Los Angeles Times:
Judge Rejects California AG Effort To Investigate GOP Ballot Boxes
A Sacramento judge refused Wednesday to order the California Republican Party to disclose information about its ballot drop box program to state officials, rejecting an argument by Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra that the investigation was essential to ensuring ballots are being properly handled. The decision by Judge David I. Brown does not prevent Becerra and Secretary of State Alex Padilla from returning to court over the matter but marks a significant victory for GOP officials who have insisted their ballot collection campaign is following state election law. (Myers, 10/21)
CalMatters:
How To Vote When You’ve Lost Your Home In A Wildfire
In August, as lightning strikes ignited fires around his Napa County home, Ian MacMillan escaped the flames with his wife, three kids and mother-in-law. A month later, when another wildfire roared through Northern California’s wine country, they had to flee their home again. “It sounded like a war zone,” MacMillan, 41, said. “The fire was blazing, the winds were bad and you could hear the propane tanks going off.” This time, their house didn’t make it. MacMillan spent the next few weeks attending to urgent matters, like finding a place to live. Now that he and his family are temporarily settled, however, he is planning to pick up his ballot at the post office where his mail is being held. “I’m crossing my fingers and hoping it’s there,” he said. (Bloom and Torrez, 10/21)
San Francisco Chronicle:
Bay Area Health Experts Weigh In On Joe Biden's Coronavirus Plan
If he wins the election, Joe Biden’s pandemic plan calls for rejoining the World Health Organization and thrusting federal public health agencies that have been largely sidelined under the current administration back into the spotlight. That would be his first day in the White House, his campaign says. The next steps of his response, laid out in detail on his campaign website, include massively ramping up testing, increasing production of health care equipment like ventilators, and promoting widespread use of face coverings. (Allday, 10/21)
The Washington Post:
CDC Expands Definition Of Who Is A ‘Close Contact’ Of An Individual With Covid-19
Federal health officials issued new guidance on Wednesday that greatly expands the pool of people considered at risk of contracting the novel coronavirus by changing the definition of who is a “close contact” of an infected individual. The change by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is likely to have its biggest impact in schools, workplaces and other group settings where people are in contact with others for long periods of time. (Sun, 10/21)
inewsource:
Uncounted: San Diego County’s Pandemic Victims Far Surpass Official Totals
A review of state and county public health data finds many more people have died as a result of the pandemic than the San Diego County public health office has acknowledged publicly. Estimates from an inewsource analysis show that roughly 1,181 more county residents have died from March through August than in a normal year. The number is 66% higher than the county’s official COVID-19 death total during that time. (Castellano and Plummer, 10/21)
San Francisco Chronicle:
The Unlikely Way Marin County Is Searching For Coronavirus Clusters
Marin County is looking for the coronavirus in a surprising place: wastewater. People infected with COVID-19 shed the virus in their feces, and wastewater sampling can gauge the overall prevalence of infection in a community and identify an outbreak before individuals display symptoms. (Graff, 10/21)
The Bakersfield Californian:
Kern Supervisors Said No To COVID-19 Help From Group With Deep Community Roots
The billboard signs were designed and ready to go. One features a young Latino boy and his mom. They both wear masks and she helps him apply hand sanitizer. ... Also ready to go were 30 outreach canvassers who speak English, Spanish, Mixteco and Punjabi, trained earlier this week by Kern County public health officials on what information to provide to Kern residents as they go door-to-door conducting COVID-19 outreach. (Shepard, 10/21)
Los Angeles Times:
Los Angeles County To Ease Some Coronavirus Rules
Although Los Angeles County remains rooted in the most restrictive tier of California’s coronavirus reopening road map, officials this week announced plans to relax some requirements on businesses to bring the county’s standards in line with wider state guidelines. The changes — expected this week — will allow family entertainment centers to open outdoors; eliminate a requirement that customers at wineries and breweries make reservations; and remove the food requirement for wineries. (Money, 10/21)
The Bakersfield Californian:
Kern County Latino COVID-19 Task Force Announces Three Free Testing Sites This Weekend
The Kern County Latino COVID-19 Task Force has announced three new free testing sites this weekend in east Bakersfield, Arvin and Lamont. Walk-ins are welcomed, and there is no pre-registration required, but those who come are asked to wear a mask and social distance. (Gallegos, 10/21)
The Bakersfield Californian:
Local Nonprofits Receive Over 100,000 Masks, Other PPE From Bank Of America
Bank of America announced it has made donations of personal protective equipment to The Mission at Kern County, The Bakersfield Homeless Center, Bakersfield Senior Center and Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault. The local nonprofits will receive 108,000 masks and 824 bottles of eight-ounce hand sanitizer from the corporation. (10/21)
Fresno Bee:
Fresno County D.A. Slams Gov. Newsom For Closing Prisons During Pandemic
During a press conference to discuss the recent rise in violent crime in the Fresno area, Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp called on California Gov. Gavin Newsom to open prisons and manage the pandemic rather than releasing inmates. (Kohlruss, 10/21)
San Francisco Chronicle:
Many Californians Aren’t Eager To Get Coronavirus Vaccine, Poll Finds
Only a quarter of California adults say they would definitely get a vaccine against COVID-19 if one were available today, a new survey found, an early warning of what could be problems in stemming the pandemic that already has killed more than 17,000 in the state. A full 40% of Californians say they would probably or certainly not use the vaccine, a number that rises to 69% among African Americans, one of the groups hit hardest by the coronavirus, according to the poll by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California. (Wildermuth, 10/21)
San Francisco Chronicle:
Once Frozen By The Pandemic, Golden Gate Park Finally Takes Its Ferris Wheel For A Spin
At long last, the giant Ferris wheel in Golden Gate Park started doing on Wednesday what wheels are supposed to do. It started going round and round. “All’s well that ends well,” said Todd Schneider, co-owner of the 150-foot Sky Star wheel as the long line of customers finally got a chance to climb aboard the behemoth at the east end of the Music Concourse. The wheel has been sitting idle for months, frozen in time by the pandemic. (Rubenstein, 10/21)
San Francisco Chronicle:
San Francisco’s Oldest Restaurant, Tadich Grill, Will Reopen Next Month
San Franciscans were devastated when Tadich Grill closed its doors in July, unsure if the city’s oldest restaurant would ever reopen. Thanks to the return of indoor dining, Tadich Grill’s classic cioppino, steaks and oysters will be back Nov. 9. The reopening will also mark the first time the Financial District restaurant will take reservations in its 171 years in business. Moving forward, Tadich Grill is encouraging diners to secure their tables on Tock — the page should go live as soon as Thursday. (Bitker, 10/21)
LA Daily News:
Survey Shows Special Ed Parents Dissatisfied With LAUSD Programs
More than six months after their children were forced into distance learning because of the coronavirus pandemic, parents in Los Angeles Unified continue to voice dissatisfaction with the special education services provided by the district. In fact, the lack of adequate support and services for students with disabilities amounts to unacceptable failure on the part of the district, members of the group Speak UP said Wednesday, Oct. 21, when they released the results of a survey of parents of special education students. (Tat, 10/21)
San Francisco Chronicle:
Marin High School Suspends In-Person Learning Following ‘Large’ Student Party
A Catholic high school in Marin County suspended in-person instruction for two weeks after administrators learned of a large party hosted by students. The principal of Marin Catholic High School in Kentfield announced the suspension of in-person classes in a letter to parents posted on the school’s website, in an attempt to curb the potential spread of the coronavirus. (Mishanec, 10/21)
The Bakersfield Californian:
Camp KEEP Makes Its Virtual Debut: It's Not The Same But Educators Call It The Next Best Thing
One of the best parts of growing up in Kern County might be the opportunity to leave home for a week and explore the breathtaking coastal ecosystem of Camp KEEP with classmates. That traditional camp experience, like so many rites of passage, has been upended by the pandemic. But this month Virtual Camp KEEP made its debut as a way to recreate the iconic outdoor education experience. "I know how much they feel they are missing out in their class," said Elizabeth Roberts, the principal of KEEP's Ocean campus. "I wanted to create something that is a shared experience." (Gallegos, 10/21)
San Francisco Chronicle:
Oakland Events Space Continues To Hold Big Events While City Officials Do Little To Stop It
City officials have not moved to shut down an Oakland events space that’s been openly defying public health orders for months, despite neighbors complaining and infectious disease experts publicly describing the indoor weddings, birthday parties and wakes there as potential superspreader events. Alameda County does not allow any indoor social gatherings, but it’s up to cities to enforce the county’s rules. Oakland fined the Humanist Hall events space nearly $14,000 for violating pandemic regulations, but the police have not intervened so far. (Ravani, 10/21)
Bay Area News Group:
Coronavirus: Santa Clara County Officials Slam 49ers Stadium Fan Ban
Santa Clara County health officials are on the hot seat after promptly rejecting new state rules allowing some fans to attend pro football, soccer and other outdoor sporting events. The county is home to some of the only California outdoor stadiums that could potentially welcome back sports fans under the state’s new guidance — the San Francisco 49ers’ Levi’s Stadium, and Earthquakes Stadium, home of San Jose’s Major League Soccer team. (Woolfolk, 10/21)
San Francisco Chronicle:
Marvel Blockbuster Shoots In S.F. As First Major Production In The City Since The Pandemic
A Muni bus rumbled along Jones Street Monday afternoon, but this was not a typical ride through the city. The vehicle’s back end appeared to have been entirely ripped off as bystanders curiously watched the filming of Marvel Studios’ next film. Marvel Studios set up base in the Lower Nob Hill neighborhood Sunday and since then has been been shooting stunt scenes for “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” the 26th film in the Marvel cinematic universe. (Arredondon, 10/21)
The Bakersfield Californian:
Cyclists Fundraising For Substance Abuse Recovery Make Stop In Bakersfield
Fifteen days into their incentive of riding 1,143 miles from Portland, Oregon to Covina, three cyclists with Run 4 Recovery made their stop in Bakersfield on Wednesday afternoon to rousing support from representatives of the local substance abuse treatment community. The Oregon-based nonprofit raises thousands of dollars annually through various fitness-based challenges that benefit scholarships for recovery home housing and other services for recovering men and women most vulnerable to relapse. (Wilson, 10/21)
San Francisco Chronicle:
Traveling From California To Hawaii During Coronavirus? Here’s What You Need To Know
Hawaii has officially rebooted its coronavirus travel restrictions — meaning it’s far easier to travel there now. Since late March, the coronavirus pandemic and a mandatory two-week quarantine for out-of-state arrivals has crashed the Hawaiian tourism industry, the economic engine of the Aloha State. (Lapan, 10/21)
Bay Area News Group:
Coronavirus: Bill Gates Describes What We Did Wrong, And How To Do Better
Five years ago, Bill Gates predicted that a pandemic would spread very quickly, shake the global economy and transform daily life. On Wednesday, Dr. Lloyd Minor, Dean of Stanford University School of Medicine, posed questions to the Microsoft co-founder and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation about the strategies and innovations needed to end the COVID-19 pandemic that, as Gates forecast, is now sweeping the world. (Krieger, 10/21)
Fresno Bee:
Is Drinking Water Safe In Fresno, Tulare, Madera And Kings?
If you live in the central San Joaquin Valley, there’s a chance your tap water is unsafe to drink. Nearly 180,000 people in the region get their water from systems that do not meet drinking water standards — and it’s hard, as a resident, to learn more and find out what to do to keep yourself and your family safe. (Vaughn, Sheehan and Bergstrom, 10/22)
Fresno Bee:
San Joaquin Valley Drinking Water Pollutants Guide
Do you know whether your drinking water is polluted with a contaminant? If so, this guide provides a summary of known health risks of contaminants, and how you can protect you and your family if your water is known to be polluted. (Vaughn, 10/22)