Jacob’s Journal – Weekly News Rewind (07/26-08/01)

Jacob’s Journal – Weekly News Rewind (07/26-08/01)

New Pushes of Masks: Vaccines Highlight Urgent Battle to Slow Corona Virus

Thursday, July 29 (Los Angeles Times) – State officials unveiled new rules this week, urging even fully vaccinated individuals to wear masks indoors while in pubic, as the coronavirus surge in California worsens. They are also urging more people to get vaccinated to protect against the highly contagious Delta variant. Providers administered over 64,000 vaccines a day from July 18 to 24, around 3,100 more daily doses than the previous week. Data compiled by The Times shows about 53% of Californians are fully vaccinated, while about 61% have received at least one dose. The number of shots peaked at about 400,000 per day in mid-April.

Officials and experts have noted various reasons people have delayed getting vaccinated. Experts believe 70% o 80% of the population needs to be vaccinated to achieve long-lasting protection. But California is falling short and the seven-day average last week rose to 7,400 new cases a day, which is eight times the rate from about a month ago. Officials stressed the majority of new infections are in those who are unvaccinated, while the state’s recommendations are more substantial than the latest guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Confused About COVID Mask Mandates, Guidance in California? Here’s What You Need to Know

Thursday, July 29 (San Francisco Chronicle) – Federal, state, and county health officials have been updated guidance on masks as coronavirus cases have surged. While the federal government recommended all people wear masks in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status, it limited this recommendation to areas of high or substantial transmission. On Wednesday, the California Department of Public Health suggested masking statewide regardless of transmission level.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, most counties urged indoor masking for all last week, although mandatory indoor mask rules have not been enforced yet as they have in Los Angeles County. Still, residents are being strongly encouraged to mask up in grocery stores, restaurants, and retail stores. State guidance suggests vaccinated people don’t need a mask outside, although those not fully vaccinated should mask up in crowded settings or when in close contact with others who aren’t fully vaccinated. California Division of Occupational Safety and Health guidance remains aligned with state Department of Public Health recommendations for use of masks at work.

California Covid Cases Surge To 5-Month High As Delta Variant Spreads Among The Unvaccinated

Thursday, July 29 (Deadline.com) – California’s state vaccination dashboard indicates 18 million people remain unvaccinated. On Wednesday, the California Department of Public Health released new figures; for early July, case rates among unvaccinated residents were 600% higher than in people who were fully vaccinated. Also, over 90% of those hospitalized have not received a vaccine. The Delta variant of the coronavirus is fueling a surge; the 7-day average was 4.6 per 100,000 on July 4 while it was 20.7 per 100,000 per day the week of July 14-20. Among vaccinated Californians, the average case rate was 3.5 per 100,000 per day. On Thursday, there were 7,457 cases reported, the highest in five-and-a-half months. Hospitalizations have risen as has the state’s test positivity rate, which increased over 20% in 7 days.

Speeding Camry Soars Over California Highway in Hollywood-Style Crash

Tuesday, July 20 (TheDrive.com) – A speeding Toyota Camry was caught on camera in a bizarre crash on July 14 in Yuba City. At about 7:19 a.m., the sedan was captured flying through the air and landing on the pavement below by a dashcam in a passing vehicle. A security camera at a nearby equipment shop also captured the incident. In this footage, the car failed to make a left turn before going off the embankment, and passed through two sets of power lines without damaging them. An employee estimated the car was traveling between 80 and 100 mph on a road near Highway 99 with a 25-mph posted speed limit. According to the California Highway Patrol, the vehicle may have been involved in a hit and run just moments before. Police also say the driver survived with only minor injuries and was believed to be intoxicated.

California Employment Law Notes: July 2021

Wednesday, July 28 (The National Law Review) – The National Law Review posted its July 2021 California Employment Law Notes this week. It covers developments such as a challenge to the constitutionality of Senate Bill 826, passed by the California Legislature in 2018 to set a minimum number of females on boards of directors. Other developments include the 2:1 ratio of punitive to compensatory damages being appropriate in the lawsuit of Rosario Contreras-Velazquez against former employer Family Health Centers, while the Title VII claim by high school football coach Joseph Kennedy, after he wasn’t rehired following repeated prayer with team members, was properly dismissed. The notes also provide updates on the cases Smith v. BP Lubricants USA, Inc., 64 Cal. App. 5^th 138 (2021), Verceles v. Los Angeles Unified Sch. Dist., 63 Cal. App. 5^th 776 (2021), Martinez v. Rite Aid Corp. 63 Cal. App. 5^th 968 (2021), and others, including the overturning by the Ninth Circuit of a $100 million wage-hour judgement against Walmart.

Great LA Times Malpractice Exposé Has Odd Omission

Tuesday, July 20 (Cal Matters) – A Los Angeles Times article published last week detailed how the Medical Board of California has repeatedly been lenient on doctors who have demonstrated incompetence. It revealed the board has allowed such physicians to continue practicing under probation, rather than revoking their licenses. Much of the article discusses Lancaster neurosurgeon Mukesh Misra, who was described as one of the 10 doctors who most often committed malpractice. Accusations the board has substantiated include gross negligence, misleading of patients, and concealing of medical errors. The Times also described in a follow-up article how the California Medical Association has thwarted efforts to reform the medical board to better support the public’s welfare. Both articles omitted a ballot measure for next year that seeks to undo the cap on damages in medical malpractice lawsuits.

Lakers, Wizards Have Completed Trade for Russell Westbrook

Thursday, July 29 (SB Nation) – Russell Westbrook of the Washington Wizards has officially been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, more than two months after trade rumors began. As part of the deal, Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are headed to Washington. The Lakers will also get two second-round picks, said Shams Charania of the Athletic. Writer Jacob Rude published an article earlier in the week about why Westbrook was a good trade for the lakers, an excerpt of which was included in this piece. It was also explained how he could work with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and that the flexibility of this deal is better than acquiring a player in a sign-and-trade.

Report: Montrezl Harrell Exercises $9.7M Lakers Contract Option Amid Trade Buzz

Thursday, July 29 (Bleacher Report) – Exercising a $9.7 million player option on Thursday for the 2021-2022 campaign, Montrezl Harrel may continue with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Opting in doesn’t guarantee he will stay with the Lakers, and Harrell is reportedly being discussed in trade talks for the Sacramento Kings. He had also been involved in trade discussions earlier in the season. Harrell, who had been leaving hints on social media, signed with the Lakers in November 2020 on a two-year deal, with the option for a second season. For now, the uniform he will wear next season has yet to be decided.