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| How Berkeley Could Remove the Police From Traffic Stops | How Berkeley Could Remove the Police From Traffic Stops |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Good morning. | Good morning. |
| (This article is part of the California Today newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.) | (This article is part of the California Today newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.) |
| First, we have a quick update on the pandemic: | First, we have a quick update on the pandemic: |
| On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said that the state was rethinking its Covid-19 testing strategy, and was working to ensure that hospitals do not become overwhelmed in parts of the state where cases are rapidly mounting. | On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said that the state was rethinking its Covid-19 testing strategy, and was working to ensure that hospitals do not become overwhelmed in parts of the state where cases are rapidly mounting. |
| The state has been averaging about 8,000 new coronavirus cases a day over the past week, according to The New York Times’s database. Mr. Newsom said that hospitalizations had shot up by 44 percent over the past two weeks, and that the share of tests coming back positive in the state had risen to 7.1 percent. | The state has been averaging about 8,000 new coronavirus cases a day over the past week, according to The New York Times’s database. Mr. Newsom said that hospitalizations had shot up by 44 percent over the past two weeks, and that the share of tests coming back positive in the state had risen to 7.1 percent. |
| [See our map of coronavirus cases per county.] | [See our map of coronavirus cases per county.] |
| “That can spike quickly into the double digits,” the governor warned in his online briefing. | “That can spike quickly into the double digits,” the governor warned in his online briefing. |
| He said that although the state was now averaging roughly 100,000 tests per day, demand had increased, and the state was working to be “much more strategic about who we’re testing.” | He said that although the state was now averaging roughly 100,000 tests per day, demand had increased, and the state was working to be “much more strategic about who we’re testing.” |
| In Los Angeles County, officials have again begun prioritizing people at higher risk, including those with symptoms and those who have been exposed to someone who tested positive for Covid-19, in addition to essential workers, according to The Los Angeles Times. | In Los Angeles County, officials have again begun prioritizing people at higher risk, including those with symptoms and those who have been exposed to someone who tested positive for Covid-19, in addition to essential workers, according to The Los Angeles Times. |
| That’s a change from earlier this year, when Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles announced that tests would be available even for people without symptoms. | That’s a change from earlier this year, when Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles announced that tests would be available even for people without symptoms. |
| [Read more about why expanded testing won’t fix everything.] | [Read more about why expanded testing won’t fix everything.] |
| Help us understand the pandemic: If you’ve talked to a contact tracer, please email CAtoday@nytimes.com. | Help us understand the pandemic: If you’ve talked to a contact tracer, please email CAtoday@nytimes.com. |
| Now, we have a dispatch from Berkeley, by my colleague Kellen Browning, who covers tech: | Now, we have a dispatch from Berkeley, by my colleague Kellen Browning, who covers tech: |
| The Berkeley City Council will consider a proposal next week to prohibit the city’s police officers from conducting traffic stops and shift that responsibility to unarmed public works officials. | The Berkeley City Council will consider a proposal next week to prohibit the city’s police officers from conducting traffic stops and shift that responsibility to unarmed public works officials. |
| The plan, which proponents and experts believe is the first of its kind nationwide, comes as cities around the United States are examining ways to scale back, reimagine or defund their police departments after George Floyd’s death in police custody in May, which led to a widespread Black Lives Matter protest movement. | The plan, which proponents and experts believe is the first of its kind nationwide, comes as cities around the United States are examining ways to scale back, reimagine or defund their police departments after George Floyd’s death in police custody in May, which led to a widespread Black Lives Matter protest movement. |
| “If we’re serious about transforming the country’s relationship with police, we have to start by taking on Americans’ most common interaction with law enforcement — traffic stops,” said Rigel Robinson, a Berkeley councilman who proposed the legislation that aims to de-escalate roadside situations. “Driving while Black shouldn’t be a crime.” | “If we’re serious about transforming the country’s relationship with police, we have to start by taking on Americans’ most common interaction with law enforcement — traffic stops,” said Rigel Robinson, a Berkeley councilman who proposed the legislation that aims to de-escalate roadside situations. “Driving while Black shouldn’t be a crime.” |
| [What does it mean to defund the police?] | [What does it mean to defund the police?] |
| Data from a 2015 U.S. Department of Justice report show U.S. residents’ most common type of contact with the police was being pulled over for a traffic stop, and research has found widespread racial bias in who gets pulled over. | Data from a 2015 U.S. Department of Justice report show U.S. residents’ most common type of contact with the police was being pulled over for a traffic stop, and research has found widespread racial bias in who gets pulled over. |
| Mr. Robinson’s proposal, which is co-sponsored by Mayor Jesse Arreguín and two other council members, would create a city department of transportation with unarmed public works officials who would conduct parking enforcement and stop cars for violations such as blowing through a stop sign or driving without headlights. It’s set to be considered at a July 14 council meeting. | Mr. Robinson’s proposal, which is co-sponsored by Mayor Jesse Arreguín and two other council members, would create a city department of transportation with unarmed public works officials who would conduct parking enforcement and stop cars for violations such as blowing through a stop sign or driving without headlights. It’s set to be considered at a July 14 council meeting. |
| If passed, the legislation — first reported by The San Francisco Chronicle — would direct city staff to start examining the particulars of the pilot project, with a goal of implementing the change through the next fiscal year’s budget. Berkeley residents wouldn’t see a difference on the roads until next summer at the very earliest, Mr. Robinson said. | If passed, the legislation — first reported by The San Francisco Chronicle — would direct city staff to start examining the particulars of the pilot project, with a goal of implementing the change through the next fiscal year’s budget. Berkeley residents wouldn’t see a difference on the roads until next summer at the very earliest, Mr. Robinson said. |
| “It’s a gargantuan task,” he said. | “It’s a gargantuan task,” he said. |
| At least a dozen cities have introduced proposals to reduce police resources in some way, but Berkeley, which also approved a $9.2 million cut to its Police Department’s budget, appears to be the first to mull a change to officers’ traffic-related duties. | At least a dozen cities have introduced proposals to reduce police resources in some way, but Berkeley, which also approved a $9.2 million cut to its Police Department’s budget, appears to be the first to mull a change to officers’ traffic-related duties. |
| Supporters of the plan point to the cases of several high-profile deaths of Black people after traffic stops, including Philando Castile, who was pulled over for a broken brake light, and Sandra Bland, who failed to signal a lane change. | Supporters of the plan point to the cases of several high-profile deaths of Black people after traffic stops, including Philando Castile, who was pulled over for a broken brake light, and Sandra Bland, who failed to signal a lane change. |
| Darrell Owens, the co-executive of a local housing and transit activist organization called East Bay for Everyone, said he pitched the traffic plan to Mr. Robinson last month, along with another advocacy group called Walk Bike Berkeley. He said it’s a common-sense solution to police violence against Black people on the roads. | Darrell Owens, the co-executive of a local housing and transit activist organization called East Bay for Everyone, said he pitched the traffic plan to Mr. Robinson last month, along with another advocacy group called Walk Bike Berkeley. He said it’s a common-sense solution to police violence against Black people on the roads. |
| Mr. Owens said he remembered his father teaching him as a child how to avoid being killed by the police if he was ever pulled over in the car. | Mr. Owens said he remembered his father teaching him as a child how to avoid being killed by the police if he was ever pulled over in the car. |
| “There’s this cultural fear among Black people that it’s the traffic stop that’s going to get them killed,” he said. “Why does it always escalate into these violent situations?” | “There’s this cultural fear among Black people that it’s the traffic stop that’s going to get them killed,” he said. “Why does it always escalate into these violent situations?” |
| Updated July 15, 2020 | |
| The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization. | The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 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 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. | 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. |
| Ken Barone, a researcher at Central Connecticut State University who studies racial profiling in police traffic stops, said the Berkeley plan seemed to be “heading in the right direction.” | Ken Barone, a researcher at Central Connecticut State University who studies racial profiling in police traffic stops, said the Berkeley plan seemed to be “heading in the right direction.” |
| “It’s the kind of innovation that I think we need in this very challenging time,” Mr. Barone said. | “It’s the kind of innovation that I think we need in this very challenging time,” Mr. Barone said. |
| When police officers are actively looking for “hazardous moving violations,” traffic stops can be effective deterrents, Mr. Barone said, and data have not shown evidence of racial bias. The problem, he said, is when law enforcement officials use minor offenses as pretexts to pull people over and search their cars. | When police officers are actively looking for “hazardous moving violations,” traffic stops can be effective deterrents, Mr. Barone said, and data have not shown evidence of racial bias. The problem, he said, is when law enforcement officials use minor offenses as pretexts to pull people over and search their cars. |
| In those cases, he said, Black and Hispanic drivers are stopped at a far greater rate, despite there being no evidence that such drivers are more likely to commit low-level driving violations. | In those cases, he said, Black and Hispanic drivers are stopped at a far greater rate, despite there being no evidence that such drivers are more likely to commit low-level driving violations. |
| Proponents of the legislation acknowledge there will still be a role for police officers on Berkeley streets, like if an unarmed official conducting a traffic stop is confronted by a violent person with a weapon. | Proponents of the legislation acknowledge there will still be a role for police officers on Berkeley streets, like if an unarmed official conducting a traffic stop is confronted by a violent person with a weapon. |
| “Those are real questions we’re going to have to answer along the way,” Mr. Robinson said. | “Those are real questions we’re going to have to answer along the way,” Mr. Robinson said. |
| A Berkeley Police Department spokesman declined to comment on the proposal. Mr. Robinson said he spoke with the city’s police chief Sunday, but would not say what the reaction from the department has been. | A Berkeley Police Department spokesman declined to comment on the proposal. Mr. Robinson said he spoke with the city’s police chief Sunday, but would not say what the reaction from the department has been. |
| “There will be pushback of one sort or another to any truly radical change that a city tries to adopt,” he said. | “There will be pushback of one sort or another to any truly radical change that a city tries to adopt,” he said. |
| We often link to sites that limit access for nonsubscribers. We appreciate your reading Times coverage, but we also encourage you to support local news if you can. | We often link to sites that limit access for nonsubscribers. We appreciate your reading Times coverage, but we also encourage you to support local news if you can. |
| An independent autopsy found that Andrés Guardado, the 18-year-old security guard whose killing by a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy in Gardena inspired protests, was shot five times in the back. [LAist] | An independent autopsy found that Andrés Guardado, the 18-year-old security guard whose killing by a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy in Gardena inspired protests, was shot five times in the back. [LAist] |
| In San Francisco, a supervisor is proposing combating “Karens” with the CAREN Act, which would make it illegal to make false, racially based calls to the police. (CAREN stands for “Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies.”)[The San Francisco Chronicle] | In San Francisco, a supervisor is proposing combating “Karens” with the CAREN Act, which would make it illegal to make false, racially based calls to the police. (CAREN stands for “Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies.”)[The San Francisco Chronicle] |
| A California appeals court is going to decide whether you can legally be kicked out of a jury pool for supporting Black Lives Matter. [The Marshall Project] | A California appeals court is going to decide whether you can legally be kicked out of a jury pool for supporting Black Lives Matter. [The Marshall Project] |
| Universities, including the University of California, are suing to stop a Trump administration policy requiring foreign students to take in-person classes or lose their visas. [The New York Times] | Universities, including the University of California, are suing to stop a Trump administration policy requiring foreign students to take in-person classes or lose their visas. [The New York Times] |
| If you missed it, a statue of Christopher Columbus was removed from the California Capitol rotunda. [The Associated Press] | If you missed it, a statue of Christopher Columbus was removed from the California Capitol rotunda. [The Associated Press] |
| Stanford University is set to eliminate 11 varsity sports. [The Stanford Daily] | Stanford University is set to eliminate 11 varsity sports. [The Stanford Daily] |
| California Today goes live at 6:30 a.m. Pacific time weekdays. Tell us what you want to see: CAtoday@nytimes.com. Were you forwarded this email? Sign up for California Today here and read every edition online here. | California Today goes live at 6:30 a.m. Pacific time weekdays. Tell us what you want to see: CAtoday@nytimes.com. Were you forwarded this email? Sign up for California Today here and read every edition online here. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. |