This Week In The News: SoCal Coronavirus Updates (03/30-04/03)

Coronavirus California: Gov. Newsom Announces Reprieve on Sales Tax for Small Businesses

Thursday, April 2 (ABC 7 News) – On Thursday, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the state will grant a one-year sales tax reprieve to small businesses. Also, small businesses won’t have to pay sales tax on loans up to $50,000. Other actions to help business owners and workers during the novel coronavirus pandemic include the Paycheck Protection Program. It will reimburse up to $10 million to businesses that continue to pay employees. Newsom also announced a new website, Onwardca.org, to connect workers with available jobs to help avoid the need for unemployment insurance. During his briefing, the governor also provided updates on coronavirus infections in the state, citing a 5.4% increase in ICU patients in one day.

Coronavirus: Doctors Give the Do’s and Don’ts of Wearing Masks, Gloves

Thursday, April 2 (CBS Los Angeles) – Doctors are providing tips on protecting oneself with masks and gloves during the coronavirus pandemic. These include washing hands before picking up a sterile mask. Dr. Carolyn Kaloostian of Keck Medicine of USC suggested steps to removing a dirty glove without exposing oneself to the virus. She also demonstrated how to use a face mask with minimal contact between the hands and face. Also, Dr. Marc Kerner of Dignity Health Northridge said that, while masks and gloves shouldn’t be reused, they can be washed with soap and water, with a 5% bleach solution (he also showed how HVAC filter material can be used to make an N95 mask).

Number of Confirmed Coronavirus Cases Reaches 1 Million Worldwide; Over 51,000 Have Died

 Thursday, April 2 (ABC 7 News) – According to Johns Hopkins University, there were 1 million cases of COVID-19 worldwide by Thursday, with a global death toll of over 51,000. Concern over the rapid escalation, spread of infection, and exponential growth in cases in almost every country was expressed by World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The United States has reported 225,000 confirmed cases, the most of any country, while New York City has accounted for about 1 out of 4 dead.

1 Killed, 3 Hurt in Crashes on I-15

Wednesday, April 1 (Fox 5 San Diego) –Shortly after 9:50 p.m. on Wednesday, California Highway Patrol officers were dispatched to I-15 north of Friars Road, where they found two separate crashes. They involved a 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche pickup, the driver of which, a 30-year-old Corona woman, was pronounced dead at the scene. A 52-year-old passenger with major injuries was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital. The 28-year-old male driver of a 2013 Mercedes C250 was hospitalized with moderate injuries, while the passenger of a 2007 Honda Accord, a 27-year-old Chula Vista woman, was evaluated at the scene. The driver of the Honda, a 22-year-old San Diego man, was uninjured. It’s unclear which vehicles were involved in either crash. The CHP does not believe intoxication was a factor.

Local Pharmaceutical Company Shares Promising Results for Coronavirus Treatment

Thursday, April 2 (Fox 5 San Diego) – On Thursday, Ansun BioPharma announced that, in a clinical trial conducted with Renmin Hospital in Wuhan, China, DAS181, a drug with antiviral properties, may have helped reduce or eliminate COVID-19 symptoms in four patients. The patients were suffering from severe bilateral viral pneumonia and hypoxemia. They were given nebulized DAS181 for 10 days, the San Diego based biopharmaceutical company said. Those involved in the study say in the first 14 days, two patients no longer required supplemental oxygen, a third patient was virus free by the end of day 10 (after carrying SARS-CoV-2 for over 33 days), and a fourth was undergoing continued treatment with positive trends. An additional two-stage trial of the drug is set to begin in the U.S.

Engineer Arrested for Derailing Train Near USNS Mercy, Claimed Ship Part of ‘Government Takeover’

Wednesday, April 1 (CBS Los Angeles) – Train engineer Eduardo Moreno, 44, of San Pedro was arrested by the CHP Wednesday after allegedly derailing a locomotive near the USNS Mercy hospital ship at the Port of Los Angeles. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he was charged in one federal count of train wrecking. The charge carries a potential sentence of 20 years in federal prison. In an initial interview with police, Moreno said he believed the Mercy was part of a “government takeover”. He was later turned over to the FBI, when he expressed further suspicion about the vessel. The ship was not damaged, while a CHP officer witnessed the crash, which was also captured by surveillance video.

California’s Coronavirus Cases Approach 10,000 as State Braces for Worsening Conditions

Thursday, April 2 (KTLA 5) – Nearly 10,000 cases of coronavirus have been reported in California as of Thursday, while there’s a backlog of 59,000 tests. For some people, getting results is taking up to 12 days, creating an incomplete picture of the outbreak’s extent. According to state figures, nearly two-thirds of the 90,000 tests administered statewide are still pending. California Governor Gavin Newsom said testing with nasal swabs accounts for most of the delays, while results of blood-based tests may be able to be fast-tracked. He also announced plans to assemble a new task force on testing and a plan to increase testing capacity.

NBA May Reduce Players’ Salaries Due to COVID-19 Shutdown

Friday, April 3 (The National Law Review) – Following its March 11 suspension of its season, the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced it may reduce or withhold players’ salaries after the scheduled April 1 payday. The NBA is preparing for the possibility of canceling the 2020 season. If so, it can reduce salaries under Article XXXIX of the collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and NBA Players Association, which includes a “Force Majeure” clause events such as the coronavirus pandemic may fall under. However, players receiving their full salaries would have to pay back money they were paid, but both organizations are working on an agreement to avoid this scenario.

Privacy Tip #233 — Be Wary of Coronavirus Telemarketing Calls

Friday, April 3 (The National Law Review) – In response to an increase in scam-related robocalls and telemarketer calls, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued letters to nine VoIP service providers and other companies this week. It warned companies that ‘assisting and facilitating’ in illegal calls related to coronavirus or COVID-19, or praying upon consumers’ fear, is against the law. The FTC said enforcement action would be taken against any company that violates the Telemarketing Sales Rule. The National Law Review recommends screening calls and never providing personal or financial information over the phone.