This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/13/us/california-parks-coronavirus.html
The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Are State Parks and Campgrounds Open in California? | Are State Parks and Campgrounds Open in California? |
| (2 days 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.) |
| Today we have another installment of Your Lead, where we answer readers’ questions about how the pandemic is changing daily life in California. Submit your questions here. | Today we have another installment of Your Lead, where we answer readers’ questions about how the pandemic is changing daily life in California. Submit your questions here. |
| Eli Edelson, a reader in Los Angeles, has been sheltering in place since March but wants to take a trip this summer with his friends to go hiking or camping. He wrote: “I am curious about the status of national parks and camping in California. Are they fully open?” | Eli Edelson, a reader in Los Angeles, has been sheltering in place since March but wants to take a trip this summer with his friends to go hiking or camping. He wrote: “I am curious about the status of national parks and camping in California. Are they fully open?” |
| While many of California’s national and state parks are open to the public, there’s a caveat: Visitors still have to social distance, although wide open spaces may make that easier. And just because the scenery has changed, you should take the same health precautions that you would at home, like washing your hands regularly and not traveling if you’re feeling ill. | While many of California’s national and state parks are open to the public, there’s a caveat: Visitors still have to social distance, although wide open spaces may make that easier. And just because the scenery has changed, you should take the same health precautions that you would at home, like washing your hands regularly and not traveling if you’re feeling ill. |
| Additionally, public health officials say that visitors should be from the same household and must remain in small groups. They should wear masks when they aren’t able to stand six feet apart from other visitors. | Additionally, public health officials say that visitors should be from the same household and must remain in small groups. They should wear masks when they aren’t able to stand six feet apart from other visitors. |
| “The state recognizes the need for people to explore the outdoors, get some fresh air and exercise,” said Gloria Sandoval, the deputy director of public affairs for California State Parks. “That’s why we are increasing access across our state park system provided that Californians do their part.” | “The state recognizes the need for people to explore the outdoors, get some fresh air and exercise,” said Gloria Sandoval, the deputy director of public affairs for California State Parks. “That’s why we are increasing access across our state park system provided that Californians do their part.” |
| Campgrounds in 80 state parks are currently open, and most of California’s national parks are open to visitors, with limitations. | Campgrounds in 80 state parks are currently open, and most of California’s national parks are open to visitors, with limitations. |
| Californians are still discouraged from traveling significant distances for recreation, so it’s best to also choose a park that’s close to home. | Californians are still discouraged from traveling significant distances for recreation, so it’s best to also choose a park that’s close to home. |
| Before embarking on a trip, Ms. Sandoval advises first checking the park’s website to make sure it’s still open, as things change quickly. State park rangers are working hard to keep information on their website up to date. People can visit the Reserve California website to make a reservation or check to see if previous reservations still stand. Visitors whose reservations were canceled because of the pandemic were notified by phone or email. | Before embarking on a trip, Ms. Sandoval advises first checking the park’s website to make sure it’s still open, as things change quickly. State park rangers are working hard to keep information on their website up to date. People can visit the Reserve California website to make a reservation or check to see if previous reservations still stand. Visitors whose reservations were canceled because of the pandemic were notified by phone or email. |
| Once you are settled into a campsite, be prepared for limited access to services, like barbecue pits, picnic areas and playgrounds. State park restrooms are open and are being cleaned more frequently. Visitor information centers and museums remain closed, for the most part. | Once you are settled into a campsite, be prepared for limited access to services, like barbecue pits, picnic areas and playgrounds. State park restrooms are open and are being cleaned more frequently. Visitor information centers and museums remain closed, for the most part. |
| State officials are closely watching counties where there’s been a surge in cases and parks can be quickly shuttered in response. | State officials are closely watching counties where there’s been a surge in cases and parks can be quickly shuttered in response. |
| [See The Times’s map tracking cases in California.] | [See The Times’s map tracking cases in California.] |
| “We’re monitoring physical distancing and visitation, and if there is a need for us to toggle back on some of these opportunities to increase access we will definitely do so,” Ms. Sandoval said. | “We’re monitoring physical distancing and visitation, and if there is a need for us to toggle back on some of these opportunities to increase access we will definitely do so,” Ms. Sandoval said. |
| Mr. Edelson, who works as a TV writer, said that Yosemite National Park was on the top of his travel wish list. The park has partially reopened, having reduced the number of vehicles allowed to enter. But because of the park’s distance from his home in Los Angeles, he may have to wait a little longer to see El Capitan and Half Dome in person. | Mr. Edelson, who works as a TV writer, said that Yosemite National Park was on the top of his travel wish list. The park has partially reopened, having reduced the number of vehicles allowed to enter. But because of the park’s distance from his home in Los Angeles, he may have to wait a little longer to see El Capitan and Half Dome in person. |
| We want to hear from you. Ask your question about life during the pandemic here. | We want to hear from you. Ask your question about life during the pandemic here. |
| Updated July 7, 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. |
| In California, early hopes for a quick rebound from the pandemic have yielded to worries about its long-term impact on state finances and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s ambitious agenda. [The New York Times] | In California, early hopes for a quick rebound from the pandemic have yielded to worries about its long-term impact on state finances and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s ambitious agenda. [The New York Times] |
| An investigation reveals how Immigration and Customs Enforcement became a domestic and global spreader of the coronavirus. [The New York Times] | An investigation reveals how Immigration and Customs Enforcement became a domestic and global spreader of the coronavirus. [The New York Times] |
| Results from a testing blitz in early April showed that Covid-19 struck mostly low-wage workers in San Francisco. [Stat] | Results from a testing blitz in early April showed that Covid-19 struck mostly low-wage workers in San Francisco. [Stat] |
| A fire early on Saturday morning destroyed the roof and badly damaged the interior of the San Gabriel Mission, a Catholic church in Southern California that is more than 200 years old. [The New York Times] | A fire early on Saturday morning destroyed the roof and badly damaged the interior of the San Gabriel Mission, a Catholic church in Southern California that is more than 200 years old. [The New York Times] |
| A couple have agreed to plead guilty to charges that they paid $250,000 to fraudulently gain their daughter’s admission to the University of Southern California as a volleyball recruit, prosecutors said. [The New York Times] | A couple have agreed to plead guilty to charges that they paid $250,000 to fraudulently gain their daughter’s admission to the University of Southern California as a volleyball recruit, prosecutors said. [The New York Times] |
| The Bay Area’s homelessness crisis was severe before the pandemic, but even as it worsens, some say they see new opportunities for solving the crisis. [San Francisco Chronicle] | The Bay Area’s homelessness crisis was severe before the pandemic, but even as it worsens, some say they see new opportunities for solving the crisis. [San Francisco Chronicle] |
| The family-owned publisher of The Sacramento Bee and The Miami Herald announced the winner of its bankruptcy sale: Chatham Asset Management, the owner of The National Enquirer. [The New York Times] | The family-owned publisher of The Sacramento Bee and The Miami Herald announced the winner of its bankruptcy sale: Chatham Asset Management, the owner of The National Enquirer. [The New York Times] |
| After the Trump administration said that international students must attend one in-person class to keep their visas, a former student from the University of California, Los Angeles, started a Google doc to help American students swap in-person classes with international students. [The Lily] | After the Trump administration said that international students must attend one in-person class to keep their visas, a former student from the University of California, Los Angeles, started a Google doc to help American students swap in-person classes with international students. [The Lily] |
| A Golden State Warriors fan who painted his Oakland home in team colors was about to lose it to foreclosure when he received a boost from the Warriors player Steph Curry, who shared his GoFundMe page on Instagram. [The Mercury News] | A Golden State Warriors fan who painted his Oakland home in team colors was about to lose it to foreclosure when he received a boost from the Warriors player Steph Curry, who shared his GoFundMe page on Instagram. [The Mercury News] |
| A fire broke out on the Navy warship Bonhomme Richard at the U.S. Naval base in San Diego on Sunday, the Navy said. Seventeen sailors and four civilians were being treated at a hospital for injuries that were described as not life-threatening. [The New York Times] | A fire broke out on the Navy warship Bonhomme Richard at the U.S. Naval base in San Diego on Sunday, the Navy said. Seventeen sailors and four civilians were being treated at a hospital for injuries that were described as not life-threatening. [The New York Times] |
| My colleague A.O. Scott reviewed the film “Palm Springs,” a comedy set in the aforementioned city and starring Cristin Milioti and Andy Samberg. The film, which Mr. Scott calls “wildly funny” and “admirably inventive,” takes some unexpected twists and turns. So does his review. | My colleague A.O. Scott reviewed the film “Palm Springs,” a comedy set in the aforementioned city and starring Cristin Milioti and Andy Samberg. The film, which Mr. Scott calls “wildly funny” and “admirably inventive,” takes some unexpected twists and turns. So does his review. |
| Read the full review here. | Read the full review 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. | 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. |