Latest From California Healthline:
California Healthline Original Stories
LA County Authorities Cautious Despite Declining COVID Numbers
The county, a hotbed of coronavirus infection in California, has seen a steady reduction in positive test results, new cases, hospitalizations and deaths over the past few weeks. But officials are concerned about public behavior over the Labor Day holiday weekend and wary of relaxing strictures too soon. (Bernard J. Wolfson, )
New COVID-19 Reporting System Coming In October: California will create a new COVID-19 data reporting system that will better handle large numbers of coronavirus cases than the state’s current system, which malfunctioned in July. The state has signed a six-month, renewable $15.3 million contract with Optum Insight to build the system. Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle and the Los Angeles Times.
Nursing Home Under Fire After At Least 16 Die From Virus: Questions have surfaced about health and safety protocols at Kit Carson Nursing and Rehab Center in Amador County after a severe coronavirus outbreak killed at least 16 residents and infected nearly 90 people, making it one of Northern California’s deadliest senior home outbreaks during the pandemic. Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
Below, check out the roundup of California Healthline’s coverage and the best of the rest of the news.
More News From Across The State
San Francisco Chronicle:
Major Housing, Police Bills Died When Squabbling California Lawmakers Ran Out Of Time
Leaders at the California Capitol tried desperately this year to keep business on track and set lofty policy goals despite the interruptions of a global pandemic. But in the end, 2020 had the last word. The California Legislature adjourned at 1:29 a.m. Tuesday, ending a session that was repeatedly thrown off course by the coronavirus. Many of the biggest policy issues died without final votes. ... But legislators, exhausted after debating behind face masks for 14 hours, watched several of their major proposals — bills to increase housing production, create a police decertification process and reduce plastic pollution — sink in the final minutes. (Gardiner and Koseff, 9/1)
NPR:
Californa's Stronger 'Mental Health Parity' Bill Awaits Governor's Signature
There are already federal and state laws on the books requiring insurance companies to cover mental health treatments, just as it does medical treatments and procedures such as chemotherapy or a cesarean section. But many patient advocates say those laws haven't gone far enough because they permit insurance companies to pay for care only after the mental illness has reached a late-stage crisis, or let companies deny coverage outright. So states, including New York and Illinois, have been strengthening their regulation and enforcement.This week, California's legislature passed one of the nation's strictest mental health parity bills. It aims to increase mental health insurance coverage to include far more conditions — including, notably, addiction — as well as redefining the criteria for insurance denials. (Noguchi, 9/1)
Modern Healthcare:
California PPE Bills Require Providers To Create Stockpiles For Workers
California's Legislature passed two bills Monday night that would require healthcare providers to create stockpiles of personal protective equipment for their workers. The bills, SB 275 and AB 2537, now go to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who will need to sign or veto them by Sept. 30. (Christ, 9/1)
San Francisco Chronicle:
Can’t Pay The Rent? Here’s How California’s New Pandemic Eviction Law Affects You
California has a new partial eviction moratorium, the result of a last-minute push by state legislators to prevent struggling renters from being kicked out of their homes when courts reopen this week. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the moratorium into law late Monday, within hours of legislators passing it and just three days after the details were formally announced. AB3088 by Assemblyman David Chiu, D-San Francisco, grants tenants who are unable to pay their rent because of the coronavirus pandemic a reprieve and gives them five more months before they must start paying again in full. (Koseff, 9/1)
Sacramento Bee:
California Lawmakers Approve Ban On Popular Rat Poison That Can Kill Mountain Lions
A bill that seeks to protect mountain lions and other wildlife from being poisoned by a popular form of pesticide awaits Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature. On Monday, the California Legislature approved Assembly Bill 1788, which bans, with few exceptions, the use of what are known as “second generation anticoagulant rodenticides” until state pesticide regulators develop plans to ensure they’re not harmful to wildlife. (Sabalow, 9/1)
Los Angeles Times:
California Lawmaker Buffy Wicks Brings Newborn To Housing Vote
California lawmakers expressed outrage Tuesday that a Bay Area lawmaker was forced to soothe her fussy newborn on the floor of the state Assembly after the new mom’s request to vote remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic was denied. Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) gave birth to her daughter on July 26 and was on maternity leave as the Legislature was wrapping up its work for the year before Monday’s constitutional deadline. But with critical votes pending on the final day, Wicks requested permission on Friday to vote remotely due to the risk posed by COVID-19 if she returned. (Guttierez, 9/1)
USA Today:
California Faces Backlash Over New Tiered Reopening Plan
As it became the first state to cross the sad milestone of 700,000 cases of COVID-19, California has embarked on a new tiered plan for reopening businesses that has some crying foul. Critics say the system doesn't take into account that some businesses can operate safely even in counties with relatively high numbers of COVID-cases. And it hits some businesses harder than others, even when it appears they perform similar services. (Woodyard, 9/1)
Capital Public Radio/KXJZ:
California Health Officials Provide More Details On New Tiered Reopening Plan
California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly held a news conference Tuesday to discuss the state’s new four-tiered COVID-19 plan for safely re-opening the economy in California’s 58 counties. A key part of the plan is requiring counties to spend three weeks in a tier before they can move to the next less restrictive one. "One of the lessons we learned in our earlier reopening experience was that two weeks wasn’t enough,"Ghaly said. "That it took at least two weeks, one sort of complete incubation cycle plus a little more time to see the impact of any change that you made. And so we really wanted to stick to three weeks, and frankly that’s the minimum.” (Hagerty, 9/1)
Los Angeles Times:
L.A. County Weighs Indoor Reopening Of Hair Salons, Malls
Los Angeles County officials are weighing whether to allow the reopening of indoor shopping centers, retail shops and hair salons in accordance with the state’s new guidelines, which permit counties — no matter their COVID-19 status — to reopen such businesses under certain conditions. If county officials decide to lift the restrictions ahead of Labor Day weekend, the businesses would be allowed to operate at 25% capacity, as well as indoor modified operations at hair salons and barbershops. (Shalby, 9/1)
KPBS:
As Businesses Reopens, San Diego County Reports 267 New COVID-19 Cases, 6 Deaths
County health officials on Tuesday reported 267 new COVID-19 cases and six additional deaths Tuesday, raising the region's totals to 38,871 cases and 688 deaths. Four women and two men died, and their ages ranged from the late 40s to the late 80s. All had underlying medical conditions. (9/1)
San Francisco Chronicle:
San Francisco Stands Nearly Alone As Bay Area Salons Reopen Indoors
His frustrations, echoed by other San Francisco business owners, grew stronger as San Francisco held firm Tuesday to its restrictions on business openings. As most Bay Area counties confirmed this week that they would take advantage of new permissions to reopen businesses in a variety of sectors under a state system unveiled Friday, city officials confirmed that they would stand fast on most restrictions and watch the course of the coronavirus pandemic closely before lifting limits on a variety of businesses they view as risky. (Simmons, 9/1)
AP:
Pelosi Takes Heat Over Visit To California Hair Salon
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is getting heat over a solo hair salon visit in San Francisco at a time when California businesses are limited by concern over coronavirus. But Pelosi’s spokesman said she was complying with the rules as presented to her by eSalon. (9/1)
Bay Area News Group:
Report: Nancy Pelosi’s San Francisco Secret Hair Salon Visit Caught On Camera
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is under fire after reportedly getting her hair done at a San Francisco salon on Monday, even as the county continued forbidding salons and barbershops to open as part of the coronavirus shutdown. In security camera footage obtained by Fox News, Pelosi can be seen walking inside a salon with what appears to be a face covering around her neck. The speaker was followed closely by a man in a face mask who appears to be her stylist. Pelosi’s hair is wet in the video and she looks to be wearing a robe. (DeRuy, 9/2)
The Hill:
California Chicken Plant Temporarily Closes After 8 Die, Nearly 400 Test Positive For COVID-19
Foster Farms is set to temporarily close its main poultry processing plant in Livingston, Calif., on Tuesday night following an outbreak that led to nearly 400 coronavirus infections and accounted for eight deaths. The Livingston-based company said in a statement over the weekend that it would not resume operations until Sept. 7. During the week-long closure, two rounds of COVID-19 testing will be conducted for the plant's 1,400 employees. Two rounds of deep cleaning will also be performed at the facility, the company said. (Wise, 9/1)
Bay Area News Group:
Some Bay Area Beaches Will Close For Labor Day. Is It Worth It?
With another heat wave looming this weekend and in anticipation of stir-crazy Californians flocking to the outdoors for Labor Day, some Bay Area communities are closing down favorite coastal haunts to stem the spread of coronavirus. All Santa Cruz County and city beaches will be shut part of the weekend and all day Monday, with similar restrictions expected throughout Monterey Bay — meaning no suntanning or beach brews to distract from scorching temperatures. Pebble Beach plans to close its iconic 17-Mile Drive and all Del Monte Forest beaches, while the Monterey City Council ratified an order Tuesday to close all beaches over the weekend. Up in San Mateo County, all Pacifica beaches and lots will likewise be closed. (Kelliher, 9/1)
NBC Bay Area:
Uber To Require That Passengers Provide Face-Mask Selfies
Mask slackers will now have to provide photographic proof they're wearing a face covering before boarding an Uber. The San Francisco-based company unveiled a new policy Tuesday stipulating that if a driver reports to Uber that a rider wasn’t wearing a mask, the rider will have to provide Uber with a selfie with one strapped on the next time they summon a car on the world’s largest ride-hailing service. (9/1)
AP:
Police: Teacher With Far-Right Ties Harassed Health Officer
A California community college instructor with ties to the far-right, anti-government “boogaloo” movement was in custody on suspicion of sending two dozen misogynistic and threatening letters to a county health officer involving the coronavirus pandemic, authorities said Tuesday. Alan Viarengo, 55, was arrested last week and investigators seized 138 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition and explosive materials from his home in Gilroy, the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office said. (9/1)
Los Angeles Times:
Honda Center In Anaheim To Offer Drive-Thru Election Voting
Honda Center in Anaheim will serve as a polling place for the presidential election, with all Orange County citizens invited to drop off ballots there or vote in person — either inside the arena or inside their vehicle. ... Honda Center will be a one-stop voting location from October 30 through Election Day, Nov. 3. (Shaikin, 9/1)
Los Angeles Times:
UC Must Immediately Drop Use Of The SAT And ACT, Judge Rules
The University of California must immediately suspend all use of SAT and ACT test scores for admission and scholarship decisions under a preliminary injunction issued by an Alameda County Superior Court judge. ... Superior Court Judge Brad Seligman said in his Monday ruling that plaintiffs had shown sufficient cause to stop the tests for now because applicants with disabilities had virtually no access to test-taking sites or legally required accommodations during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Watanabe, 9/1)
KPBS:
Since Fall Semester Began, COVID-19 Cases Rising At San Diego State
There have been at least 41 cases of coronavirus among staff and students at San Diego State’s main campus since the pandemic began. Nearly half of those cases have been reported since school began last week. "We all kind of saw it coming," Sam Barnett said. Barnett is a junior at SDSU. "It’s not a matter of if it’s a matter of when it was going to happen and we already see it starting to happen and it’s only going to get worse." (Hoffman, 9/1)
AP:
Chico State Hasn't Pinpointed Source As Virus Cases Rise
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases linked to California State University, Chico, is rising, school officials said Tuesday, with a lack of test kits hampering its ability to screen for the virus on campus. The university abruptly halted in-person classes this week, and 36 students and staffers are now confirmed to be infected in the outbreak. (Gecker, 9/1)
KTLA:
After Being Left ‘In Limbo,’ O.C. Now Says Schools On Track To Reopen Sept. 22 If County Meets State Requirements
After the confusion that followed Gov. Gavin Newsom’s announcement of a new reopening plan, officials said Monday that Orange County schools are now on track to reopen Sept. 22 — provided the county continues to meet the state’s requirements. Newsom last week unveiled California’s guidelines for reopening businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic, detailing a color-coded, four-tier system that replaced the state’s old county watchlist. (Salahieh, 9/1)
Orange County Register:
Instead Of Taking Kids To Field Trips, Santa Ana School Transportation Firm Takes Internet To Kids
JFK Transportation is usually delivering students to campuses and providing the means for them to attend field trips and get to sports games. But this week it started delivering them technology. JFK vans equipped with Wi-Fi systems were dispatched to neighborhoods in the Santa Ana Unified School District where students were having difficulty accessing the internet for their distance learning. (Fryer, 9/2)
San Francisco Chronicle:
Smoke Could Linger Over Bay Area For Months, Even After Fires Are Contained
The Bay Area’s air-quality woes are almost certain to continue through the weekend, as a ridge of high pressure brings a heat wave and low winds. But the ongoing wildfires mean that smoke could be here for months, even as the fires are contained — and it’s just the beginning of wildfire season. A Spare the Air Alert, which bans wood burning, has been extended through Thursday in the Bay Area, adding to a string of alerts issued every day since Aug. 14. It is the longest stretch ever, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. (Echeverria, 9/2)
The Guardian:
'Firestorm': One California Family Had Seen Wildfires Before – But Not Like This
Christa Petrillo Haefner and her family had seen off 14 blazes in six years but the LNU Lightning Complex fire cost them dearly. (Ho, 9/2)
Orange County Register:
Santa Ana Provides New Data That Orange County Is ‘Dumping’ Homeless
Much of Orange County is transporting homeless people into Santa Ana, placing an unfair burden on that city to address the county’s homelessness crisis, city officials allege in court documents filed Monday. The filing marks the city’s latest effort seeking legal relief over this issue. And this time, officials have some numbers and additional data that they hope will prove their point that many other cities in the county are “dumping” their homeless in Santa Ana. (Kopetman, 9/1)
City News Service:
LA County Gears Up For Flu Season; Official Warns Of ‘Twindemic’
Los Angeles County is gearing up for the coming flu season, with the county’s top public health official saying today that residents should get vaccinated, even given the continuing threat of COVID-19. “We are positive that we will have both influenza and COVID-19 circulating at the same time,” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer told the Board of Supervisors. “While we don’t have a vaccination for COVID-19 at this time, we do have a vaccination for influenza.” (9/1)
Security Magazine:
Gunshot Injuries In California Drop, But Percentage Of Firearm Deaths Goes Up
Gun-violence research experts at UC Davis Health say that despite a significant drop in firearm injuries in recent years in California, there has been a substantial increase in the state’s overall death rate among those wounded by firearms. “We found that the number of nonfatal firearm injuries in California decreased over an 11-year period, primarily due to a drop in firearm assaults,” said Sarabeth Spitzer, lead author and a UC Davis research intern at the time of the study. “However, the lethality of those and other firearm injuries did not go down. In fact, it went up.” The new study is online today in JAMA Network Open. (9/2)
Capital Public Radio/KXJZ:
Ten New Marijuana Dispensaries Could Change The Look Of A Mostly White Industry In Sacramento
Sacramento’s majority-white cannabis industry could soon get a facelift. City council will vote Tuesday to approve 10 marijuana storefront licenses for minority-owned businesses. Currently, Sacramento has 30 storefront marijuana dispensaries. Less than five are minority-owned, and none are owned by African Americans. However, a city program created in 2019, which was aimed at providing opportunity to people of color who have disproportionately been affected by old marijuana laws, could bring new life into the industry. (Mizes-Tan, 9/1)
KPBS:
North Park Gets A 'Community Fridge' Helping People Who Need Food
If you’re driving through the intersection of 30th and Lincoln in North Park, you might do a double take at a pop-up next to Hangers Cleaners. There sits an old refrigerator, painted mustard yellow, with shelves of dry goods and diapers next to it. A community fridge, to be more precise. "I just wanted to include it into my own community,” said North Park resident Annie Lein. (Carroll, 9/1)
National Geographic:
An Extraordinary Summer Of Overlapping Crises For California’s Farmworkers
The “essential workers” picking American’s food are facing fires, heat waves, and the pandemic, all at once. (Borunda, 9/1)
Sonoma County Gazette:
California Farmworkers At Risk From Covid 19
A deepening COVID-19 crisis now surging in most California agricultural counties–puts farmworkers in the pandemic's crosshairs. Thousands of farm and packinghouse workers have contracted the virus in the agricultural counties of Imperial, Kern, Kings, Tulare, Merced, Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Monterey, Ventura. Farmworkers in the North Bay are at risk too. (Bennett, 9/1)
The San Joaquin Valley Sun:
Fresno's Community Hospital At Risk Of Losing Level 1 Trauma Center Status
Come 5 p.m. Wednesday, Community Regional Medical Center (CRMC) is set to lose its status as a Level 1 trauma center. A contract between Community Medical Centers (CMC) and the Central California Faculty Medical Group (CCFMG) expired Tuesday with no new contract on the horizon. (Gligich, 9/1)
The Bakersfield Californian:
Mercy Hospitals Of Bakersfield Awarded Grant For Asthma Mitigation Project
Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield and the Friends of Mercy Foundation, in collaboration with the Dignity Health Community Wellness Center, was awarded a $250,000 grant from The Asthma Mitigation Project. The grant is funded by the California Department of Health Care Services and is managed by The Center at Sierra Health Foundation. (9/1)
Valley Public Radio:
State Senator Questions Medical Board About Its Handling Of Bakersfield Doctor After Patient Deaths
A San Joaquin Valley legislator is seeking answers from the Medical Board of California as to why the oversight agency allowed a Bakersfield doctor to remain in practice even though it determined he had been negligent with patients. (Klein, 9/1)