Good evening. Im Diya Chacko, and its Monday, May 4. Heres whats happening with the coronavirus outbreak in California and beyond.
Newsletter
Get our free Coronavirus Today newsletter
Sign up for the latest news, best stories and what they mean for you, plus answers to your questions.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
After seven weeks of closures and restrictions, this week California will start down the path to reopening its economy. Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday that some retail stores can open with modifications by Friday, as the state proceeds from Phase One of his plan, keeping essential workers as safe as possible, to Phase Two, relaxing store closures. This is a very positive sign, and its happened only for one reason: The data says it can happen.
Although the number of cases has yet to subside, California has started to see a week-over-week decline in deaths. Between April 26 and May 2, there were 497 coronavirus deaths reported in California, down from 547 the week before.
The governors plan also expands decision-making at the local level, giving some communities the authority to open more businesses at their own pace, instead of adhering to a uniform statewide policy. But if counties want to do more, they must first meet certain requirements for hospital beds, testing kits and the ability to track infected people and trace their contacts.
Newsom is letting two cities in Orange County reopen their beaches after closing them ahead of the weekend to stem the crowds. Under plans approved by state officials, Laguna Beach and San Clemente will allow access for active recreation such as swimming, surfing and running, taking a range of measures to avoid crowding and allow safe distancing.
So when might California be ready to really loosen up its stay-at-home order? One UCLA epidemiologist suspects Phase Three reopening higher-risk places like salons, gyms and movie theaters could start in August or September, with the continuation of social-distancing measures, like wearing face coverings and limiting the number of customers.
In other words: We have a ways to go, but were starting.
California cases and deaths as of 5 p.m. PDT Monday:
Track the latest numbers and how they break down in California with our graphics.
In the Los Angeles Unified School District, the school year will start Aug. 18 as scheduled, but no decision has been made on whether campuses will reopen for in-person classes by then. An expanded summer school session will begin online in mid-June. The timing for reopening campuses is complicated, Supt. Austin Beutner said, because it will be the science, and only the science, which can provide a foundation for the safe return of our school community.
Ridership on Los Angeles County buses has fallen by 65% since the outbreak began, but some lines are still so full that social distancing is impossible. Drivers say too many riders are defying Californias stay-at-home orders by making nonessential trips. In addition, there are periodic shortages of masks, hand sanitizer and other protective gear at Metros bus yards. It is very, very scary, said a driver who works on the Silver Line. I have a big bump on my face because Im wearing my mask so tight. Im wearing long sleeves in the heat. My hands are cracked, Im washing them so much. County Supervisor Janice Hahn says a mask should be mandatory for anyone who wants to board a bus or train.
As the center of the global music business, Los Angeles professional recording studios employ thousands of sound engineers, back-line workers and IT experts. Theyre now watching from home as artists adapt to a world without soundstages, engineers, mixing consoles or echo chambers, joining fans absorbed in acoustically insulting bedroom concerts. Its like weve become a world of retirees, said a producer.
The Times is releasing a new podcast from our entertainment team, with the first episode dropping on May 5. Hosted by television reporter Yvonne Villarreal, Cant Stop Watching: Your TV Faves on Their TV Faves features conversations with TV stars the first guest is David Harbour from Stranger Things about their most fascinating roles, how their characters would handle the coronavirus and what theyre watching on television right now.
For general safety, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds (heres a super-fun how-to video). Stop touching your face, and keep your phone clean. Practice social distancing, maintaining a six-foot radius of personal space in public. And wear a mask if you leave home for essential activities. Heres how to do it right. Watch for symptoms including fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and loss of taste or smell. If youre worried you might be infected, call your doctor or urgent care clinic before going. Heres how to care for someone with COVID-19, from monitoring their symptoms to preventing the virus spread. If your job has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, heres how to file for unemployment. Here are some free resources for restaurant workers and entertainment industry professionals having trouble making ends meet. Advice for helping kids navigate pandemic life includes being honest about uncertainties, acknowledging their feelings and sticking to a routine. Heres guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Masks are a new battleground in the pandemic as more and more people see orders to wear them as government overreach. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine backtracked on an order requiring masks in stores, as too many Ohioans found it offensive. In Miami, more than 8,000 warnings were handed out for not using masks, prompting the city to close the popular South Pointe Park again. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who issued a mandatory mask order April 15, said Monday he believes local governments should have the right to enforce it, because you could literally kill someone.
The U.S. is seeing the worst oil bust in a lifetime under the combined forces of the pandemic and a weakening market. Thousands of energy sector workers have been laid off in Texas in recent weeks, and more than half of oil and gas workers worry they could lose their jobs, according to a University of Houston survey. People outside of Texas dont realize how much revenue, how much lifeblood, oil brings, one worker said.
They kept a low profile before the pandemic. But these days, Chinese ambassadors are attacking foreign officials on social media and peddling misinformation amplified by the state-controlled press to deflect blame for the virus coming from all corners and especially President Trump. Other countries shouldnt blame China for mistakes they have made themselves, particularly the U.S., tweeted the Chinese ambassador to the Netherlands.
Todays question comes from Nivaldo Meneghetti, who wants to know: If we have mild COVID-19 symptoms, can we take cough syrup? Science reporter Melissa Healy spoke to experts to find out.
If youre experiencing coughing as one of the symptoms of an infection due to the coronavirus, cough syrup may do more harm than good, new research suggests. Dextromethorphan, a common active ingredient in dozens of over-the-counter cough syrups, capsules and lozenges, appeared to boost replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus when tested under laboratory conditions.
Dextromethorphan stifles signals in the brain that set off the reflex to cough and is a key ingredient of virtually all over-the-counter cough and cold formulations, including those sold as Robitussin, Benylyn, DayQuil/NyQuil, Delsym, Triaminic, and Theraflu. In tests conducted at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, researchers found that when dextromethorphan was introduced into the cells of African green monkeys growing in petri dishes, the subsequent addition of SARS-CoV-2 resulted in more prolific viral growth.
While that one study is a long way from concluding that cough medicines containing dextromethorphan will worsen the condition of COVID-19 patients, researchers said the findings are concerning enough for them to advise those infected to avoid these medications.
Got a question? Our reporters covering the coronavirus outbreak want to hear from you. Email us your questions, and well do our best to answer them. You can find more answers in our Frequently Asked Questions roundup and in our morning briefing.
For the most up-to-date coronavirus coverage from The Times, visit our live updates page and our Health section, and follow us on Twitter and on Instagram.
View post:
Coronavirus Today: We're starting to reopen - Los Angeles Times
- Making Blood Stem Cells on a Microchip: Academic Minute - December 27th, 2022
- Novel detection of stem cell niche within the stroma of limbus in the rabbit during postnatal development | Scientific Reports - Nature.com - August 14th, 2022
- Why Nebraska's U.S. Airmen have filed a lawsuit refusing the COVID-19 vaccine - KETV Omaha - July 27th, 2022
- Hepatic stellate cells in liver development, regeneration, and cancer - July 11th, 2022
- Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system ... - June 13th, 2022
- Columbus man to be one of first to receive transplant via new OhioHealth program - 10TV - April 19th, 2022
- Grayson authorizes more than $1 million for ongoing and new equine research in 2022 - EQUUS Magazine - March 25th, 2022
- Cancer stem cells in glioblastoma - January 20th, 2022
- First-responder cells after heart attack prompt ... - January 20th, 2022
- New clinical trials from University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center to begin with human protein following successful on-site approach to producing and... - December 24th, 2021
- Riverside Biologics Health Review: At Home "Stem Cells ... - December 24th, 2021
- China-bound Graduate Focused on Global Goals - University of Mary Washington - December 10th, 2021
- Mustang Bio to Host Key Opinion Leader Webinar on MB-106, a Potential Treatment for B-Cell Non Hodgkin Lymphomas and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia -... - December 10th, 2021
- Fruit Cells, Space Bread, and Cultured Meat Cartridges: Deep Space Food Challenge Announces Phase 1 Winners - The Spoon - October 28th, 2021
- Fungi foray: Wild mushrooms are a key part of food chain - Farm and Dairy - August 5th, 2021
- AgeX Therapeutics Inc. (NYSE:AGE) stock surged in the premarket trading session; heres why - Market Globalist - May 13th, 2021
- University Hospitals treats first cancer patient in Ohio with "game changing" CAR T therapy - News 5 Cleveland - May 13th, 2021
- Weekly line: What the new coronavirus variants mean for vaccines, transmission, and more - The Daily Briefing - January 20th, 2021
- Forge Biologics Announces FDA Clearance of Investigational New Drug Application for Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial (RESKUE) of FBX-101 Gene Therapy for... - January 9th, 2021
- The Rise of Steve Sarkisian ... And the Decline of the Man Who Got Him Here - Sports Illustrated - January 9th, 2021
- Raleigh man delivers stem cells to patients around the world - WRAL.com - November 28th, 2020
- A real life Superman celebrates 5 years of survival from one of the deadliest cancers - Newswise - November 28th, 2020
- The Museum That Fell From the Sky | History - Air & Space Magazine - November 28th, 2020
- A Detroit Lions VP tries to avoid wasting her daughter from uncommon illness - The Shepherd of the Hills Gazette - November 28th, 2020
- US biotechnology company races to get its COVID-19 therapeutic approved for access, which has previously shown positive results in severely ill... - November 5th, 2020
- STEM CELLS - Regenerative Medicine Institute of Ohio - October 18th, 2020
- FDA Grants Orphan Drug Designation to Novel Bcl-2 inhibitor in CLL - Targeted Oncology - September 9th, 2020
- Breastfeeding 'even better than previously thought' - The Irish News - The Irish News - June 29th, 2020
- Regenerative Therapy Options for Horses With Osteoarthritis - TheHorse.com - June 12th, 2020
- Why Do Some People Get Sick All the Time, While Others Stay in Freakishly Good Health? - Discover Magazine - June 12th, 2020
- How safe are Ohio summer fun activities amid the coronavirus threat? The Wake Up for Friday, May 29, 2020 - cleveland.com - May 31st, 2020
- Kenneth Wallace Promoted to Full Professor at Clarkson University - Clarkson University News - May 31st, 2020
- ODDS AND ENDS: Melonheads and other offbeat offerings - Toronto Sun - May 31st, 2020
- OHIO researchers win grant to study treatment for possible fatal complications of COVID-19 - Huntington Herald Dispatch - May 8th, 2020
- COMMENTARY || Pseudoscience and COVID-19we've had enough already - Folio - University of Alberta - May 3rd, 2020
- This Week in Green Tech: STEM Lessons, Solar Power and the Coronavirus, and More - ENGINEERING.com - May 3rd, 2020
- AskBio Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase 1 Trial Using AAV Gene Therapy for Congestive Heart Failure - BioSpace - February 7th, 2020
- Tune in Tonight: Oscar-nominated The Cave debuts on National Geographic - St. Augustine Record - January 25th, 2020
- Best Stem Cell Therapy Treatment in Cincinnati, Ohio ... - November 28th, 2019
- Time to Try Again: Gene-Based Therapy for Neurodegeneration - Alzforum - November 28th, 2019
- NIA Mourns the Loss of Dr. Huber Warner - National Institute on Aging - November 13th, 2019
- Research Roundup: Genomic Dark Matter Mutation and More - BioSpace - October 23rd, 2019
- Stem Cell Treatment Lima | Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio - September 10th, 2019
- Regenerative Therapy in Northeast Ohio | Ohio Therapy Centers - September 9th, 2019
- Stem cell therapy now available in central Ohio! - May 30th, 2019
- Stem Cell Therapy Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio - March 26th, 2019
- Massages & Treatments | Day Spa on Lake Erie in Ohio | The ... - March 10th, 2019
- *NEW* Regenerative Stem Cell Therapy | Ohio Therapy Centers - December 7th, 2018
- Stem Cell Therapy | Ohio Stem Cell - November 5th, 2018
- Ohio Stem Cell Treatment Center of Cleveland (Beachwood ... - November 3rd, 2018
- Conjoined twins - Wikipedia - September 20th, 2018
- Government website steers patients to unproven medical treatments - MyAJC - September 2nd, 2017
- Modern Health & Wellness of Lima institutes regenerative stem cell therapy - Lima Ohio - September 2nd, 2017
- Salk faces 'daunting' need for money despite big success with ... - The San Diego Union-Tribune - August 26th, 2017
- 'Nanotransfection' Turns Animal Skin into Blood Vessels and Brain ... - Medical Device and Diagnostics Industry - August 26th, 2017
- This Chip Uses Electricity to Reprogram Cells for Healing - Singularity Hub - August 25th, 2017
- This year's freshman class at Misericordia University is third largest in school history - The Dallas Post - August 25th, 2017
- Nanochip Could Heal Injuries or Regrow Organs with One Touch - NewsFactor Network - August 18th, 2017
- Wild new microchip tech could grow brain cells on your skin - CNET - August 8th, 2017
- Researchers explore possible alternative to knee replacement - Scope (blog) - August 5th, 2017
- Jackson Twp.'s Emmie Wanzer loves her new wheelchair swing provided by Wishes Can Happen Wanzer - Canton Repository - July 4th, 2017
- Scientists Discover That Fasting Triggers Stem Cell ... - November 23rd, 2016
- Stem-Cells | The Institute for Applied & Professional Ethics - November 18th, 2016
- Stem Cell Transplant Program - Cleveland, Ohio - October 17th, 2016
- Update: Ohio Stem Cell Study Recruiting People with MS ... - October 17th, 2016
- National Center For Regenerative Medicine - October 17th, 2016
- Stem-cell niche - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - October 19th, 2015
- Alex Potoczak of Ohio Praises Umbilical Stem Cell Research ... - July 2nd, 2015
- Dr. Foglietti | Ohio Stem Cell Treatment Center of Cleveland - April 27th, 2015
- Taubman Institute Receives $3 Million Wexner Gift to Support Emerging Physician-Researchers - April 3rd, 2015
- Morgan's Fund Launches Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) Podcast Series: Premiere Features Dr. Gail Besner - March 24th, 2015
- Ohio Stem Cell Knee Arthritis Treatment-Regenexx - February 23rd, 2015
- We Were Promised Space Lasers: The State of the Union's Biggest Fibs - January 21st, 2015
- We Were Promised Space Lasers: State of the Union's Biggest Fibs - January 20th, 2015
- We Were Promised Space Lasers: The State of the Union's Big Fibs - January 17th, 2015
- 'Unprecedented': Drug May Help Heal Damaged Spines - December 4th, 2014
- New DNA discovery could lead to chromosome therapies in the future - November 19th, 2014
- Tiny Stomachs Grown in the Lab - October 31st, 2014
- Stem Cells Used to Grow Mini-Stomachs Seeking Treatments - October 30th, 2014
- Scientists build 'mini-stomachs' in lab - October 30th, 2014