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Adopting a Pet in California During a Pandemic Adopting a Pet in California During a Pandemic
(about 1 month later)
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When the state’s shelter-in-place order went into effect in early March, animal welfare workers continued their lifesaving work using protocols laid out by experts to limit the spread of the coronavirus.When the state’s shelter-in-place order went into effect in early March, animal welfare workers continued their lifesaving work using protocols laid out by experts to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
To clear space in kennels, they called on volunteers to foster animals. At one Modesto shelter, so many people answered calls to foster cats and dogs that the shelter was nearly cleared out.To clear space in kennels, they called on volunteers to foster animals. At one Modesto shelter, so many people answered calls to foster cats and dogs that the shelter was nearly cleared out.
That month, the Los Angeles Animal Services, one of the largest municipal shelter systems in the country, reduced its animal population by 25 percent, placing 2,232 animals with rescue organizations, into foster homes and permanent homes, and reuniting pets with their owners.That month, the Los Angeles Animal Services, one of the largest municipal shelter systems in the country, reduced its animal population by 25 percent, placing 2,232 animals with rescue organizations, into foster homes and permanent homes, and reuniting pets with their owners.
“One of the few silver linings of the Covid-19 crisis is that many shelters have called on their communities for help and those communities stepped up by fostering and adopting pets on an unprecedented level,” said Julie Castle, the chief executive officer of Best Friends Animal Society.“One of the few silver linings of the Covid-19 crisis is that many shelters have called on their communities for help and those communities stepped up by fostering and adopting pets on an unprecedented level,” said Julie Castle, the chief executive officer of Best Friends Animal Society.
Since March, there has been a 62 percent uptick in dogs entering foster care across the state, according to 24PetWatch.Since March, there has been a 62 percent uptick in dogs entering foster care across the state, according to 24PetWatch.
And while many animals are currently out of shelters, adoptions are still badly needed.And while many animals are currently out of shelters, adoptions are still badly needed.
For people looking to adopt an animal during the pandemic, workers are asking potential adopters to first peruse pet listings on their websites and then set up a virtual meet-and-greet using videoconferencing apps. They can schedule an appointment to pick up their animal.For people looking to adopt an animal during the pandemic, workers are asking potential adopters to first peruse pet listings on their websites and then set up a virtual meet-and-greet using videoconferencing apps. They can schedule an appointment to pick up their animal.
And Ms. Castle recommends ensuring the pet is the right fit. “Adoption is really about matching the personality and needs of the pet with you and your family,” she said. “For example, some dogs may require a high level of exercise and engagement, while others may just want to hang out and watch Netflix with you. It’s best to find a pet that fits your lifestyle.”And Ms. Castle recommends ensuring the pet is the right fit. “Adoption is really about matching the personality and needs of the pet with you and your family,” she said. “For example, some dogs may require a high level of exercise and engagement, while others may just want to hang out and watch Netflix with you. It’s best to find a pet that fits your lifestyle.”
For people who already have pets at home, experts say it’s best to make a plan for them now, in the event you do become sick with Covid-19. If you get sick, health experts recommend keeping a distance from your animal.For people who already have pets at home, experts say it’s best to make a plan for them now, in the event you do become sick with Covid-19. If you get sick, health experts recommend keeping a distance from your animal.
And while some domestic animals have become infected with Covid-19 after being in close contact with infected humans, the World Organisation for Animal Health said that, currently, “there is no evidence that animals are playing a significant epidemiological role in the spread of human infections.”And while some domestic animals have become infected with Covid-19 after being in close contact with infected humans, the World Organisation for Animal Health said that, currently, “there is no evidence that animals are playing a significant epidemiological role in the spread of human infections.”
Out of an abundance of caution, it’s recommended that animals coming from homes where Covid-19 is present are held in a shelter for 14 days before being released for foster care or adoption.Out of an abundance of caution, it’s recommended that animals coming from homes where Covid-19 is present are held in a shelter for 14 days before being released for foster care or adoption.
For animal welfare advocates, the pandemic has presented a unique opportunity for promoting community-based care of animals.For animal welfare advocates, the pandemic has presented a unique opportunity for promoting community-based care of animals.
“For too long, we’ve made the walls of a brick-and-mortar shelter the first place we take animals who have been separated from their families,” said Ms. Castle. “The burden of caring for animals in need has fallen solely on shelters and rescues. The gains we made during the Covid-19 pandemic taught us that doesn’t have to be the case.”“For too long, we’ve made the walls of a brick-and-mortar shelter the first place we take animals who have been separated from their families,” said Ms. Castle. “The burden of caring for animals in need has fallen solely on shelters and rescues. The gains we made during the Covid-19 pandemic taught us that doesn’t have to be the case.”
At the same time, shelters are bracing themselves for a surge in incoming animals as the pandemic stretches into the summer and a new economic reality sets in.At the same time, shelters are bracing themselves for a surge in incoming animals as the pandemic stretches into the summer and a new economic reality sets in.
“We are very much concerned that there will be a huge fallout from Covid-19 — much worse than when the market crashed in 2008 and people had to give up their four-legged family members,” said Agnes Sibal-von Debschitz of Los Angeles Animal Services.“We are very much concerned that there will be a huge fallout from Covid-19 — much worse than when the market crashed in 2008 and people had to give up their four-legged family members,” said Agnes Sibal-von Debschitz of Los Angeles Animal Services.
That extent of the impact on shelter animals will largely depend on their human owners. “Most adopters do not turn dogs in unless there are extreme circumstances such as loss of job or loss of housing,” Ms. Sibal-von Debschitz said.That extent of the impact on shelter animals will largely depend on their human owners. “Most adopters do not turn dogs in unless there are extreme circumstances such as loss of job or loss of housing,” Ms. Sibal-von Debschitz said.
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Mike Garcia, a newcomer to Republican electoral politics, has defeated his Democratic opponent in a special election to fill a House seat in California’s 25th Congressional District.Mike Garcia, a newcomer to Republican electoral politics, has defeated his Democratic opponent in a special election to fill a House seat in California’s 25th Congressional District.
The victory is the first time the G.O.P. has flipped a Democratic-held seat in California since 1998 and is a significant win in an election that was primarily conducted by mail and reflected the country’s bitter partisan mood.The victory is the first time the G.O.P. has flipped a Democratic-held seat in California since 1998 and is a significant win in an election that was primarily conducted by mail and reflected the country’s bitter partisan mood.
Updated June 24, 2020
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
Mr. Garcia and Christy Smith, a Democratic member of the State Assembly, competed to replace former Representative Katie Hill, who resigned last year after admitting to an affair with a campaign staff member. The two candidates will meet again in November, when both are planning to run for a full term. [The New York Times]Mr. Garcia and Christy Smith, a Democratic member of the State Assembly, competed to replace former Representative Katie Hill, who resigned last year after admitting to an affair with a campaign staff member. The two candidates will meet again in November, when both are planning to run for a full term. [The New York Times]
Last year, Moms 4 Housing, a group of Oakland-born unhoused and marginally housed community activists, began a campaign to fight gentrification and the Bay Area’s housing crisis. In the wake of Covid-19, their actions have taken on a whole new context. [Vogue]Last year, Moms 4 Housing, a group of Oakland-born unhoused and marginally housed community activists, began a campaign to fight gentrification and the Bay Area’s housing crisis. In the wake of Covid-19, their actions have taken on a whole new context. [Vogue]
Downloads of the $1.8 billion short-form streaming app Quibi have been paltry. The founder, Jeffrey Katzenberg, blames the pandemic for the app’s rough start. [The New York Times]Downloads of the $1.8 billion short-form streaming app Quibi have been paltry. The founder, Jeffrey Katzenberg, blames the pandemic for the app’s rough start. [The New York Times]
A Bay Area baby’s case may be the first that links Covid-19 to Kawasaki disease in children. [San Francisco Chronicle]A Bay Area baby’s case may be the first that links Covid-19 to Kawasaki disease in children. [San Francisco Chronicle]
Kroger, the owner of Ralphs and Food 4 Less supermarket chains, is ending its $2 per hour “Hero Bonus” pay for workers. [Los Angeles Magazine]Kroger, the owner of Ralphs and Food 4 Less supermarket chains, is ending its $2 per hour “Hero Bonus” pay for workers. [Los Angeles Magazine]
After Elon Musk threatened to move his company’s headquarters out of the state, Alameda County officials have agreed to let Tesla’s factory in Fremont reopen as early as next week. [The New York Times]After Elon Musk threatened to move his company’s headquarters out of the state, Alameda County officials have agreed to let Tesla’s factory in Fremont reopen as early as next week. [The New York Times]
Residents of Los Angeles and San Diego can look to the skies on Friday for the U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbirds tribute to front-line workers. [Los Angeles Times]Residents of Los Angeles and San Diego can look to the skies on Friday for the U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbirds tribute to front-line workers. [Los Angeles Times]
Tired of sheltering in place, a herd of 200 wild goats broke free from a hillside enclosure they were clearing and roamed around a nearby neighborhood in San Jose on Tuesday. After causing momentary chaos, stopping to munch on residents’ landscaping, they were quickly rounded up and returned.Tired of sheltering in place, a herd of 200 wild goats broke free from a hillside enclosure they were clearing and roamed around a nearby neighborhood in San Jose on Tuesday. After causing momentary chaos, stopping to munch on residents’ landscaping, they were quickly rounded up and returned.
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Jill Cowan grew up in Orange County, went to school at U.C. Berkeley and has reported all over the state, including the Bay Area, Bakersfield and Los Angeles — but she always wants to see more. Follow along here or on Twitter, @jillcowan.Jill Cowan grew up in Orange County, went to school at U.C. Berkeley and has reported all over the state, including the Bay Area, Bakersfield and Los Angeles — but she always wants to see more. Follow along here or on Twitter, @jillcowan.
California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from U.C. Berkeley.California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from U.C. Berkeley.