California Today: What Is Happening With the Virus in California? For Now, Many Mixed Signals

Hospital capacity is increasing in some areas. The vaccine rollout is still chaotic.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story January 25, 2021 People waiting in line at a super vaccination station set up in an empty department store in Chula Vista.Mike Blake/Mike Blake By Jill Cowan (This article is part of the California Today newsletter. Sign up to get it delivered to your inbox.) Good morning. If you're confused about the state of the virus in California, you're not alone. While California's overall case numbers have been on the decline, hospitals in Southern California are still overwhelmed and experts worry that new variants of the virus — including one that researchers recently found in more than half of samples collected in Los Angeles — could threaten progress curbing Covid-19's rampant spread. [Compare coronavirus case numbers, hospitalizations and deaths across California with this map.] In the Bay Area, intensive care unit capacity has risen to 23.4 percent, according to the state as of Sunday — well above the 15 percent threshold that triggered the stay-at-home order for the region. Yet the Sacramento area has just 11.9 percent intensive care unit capacity, and was allowed to exit the strict order more than a week ago. Although The San Francisco Chronicle reported on Saturday that officials in the region were feeling hopeful that the order would be lifted soon, the state's department of public health reported on Sunday that the Bay Area wasn't eligible to have restrictions loosened based on its projections. [See how full hospital intensive care units are near you.] Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to make an announcement about lifting some restrictions in the state on Monday. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT The Associated Press reported that Mr. Newsom's administration has refused to disclose key data that would help explain the difference in approaches between the Bay Area and Sacramento. In any case, the state hinted in a news release on Sunday that Sacramento may be required to re-enter the stay-at-home order, which would force many businesses to shut back down. (We can expect to get an update from state officials in coming days.) And even after President Biden unveiled what experts have long said is a desperately needed national strategy for finally controlling the pandemic, there are still major hurdles in the vaccine rollout, which in California has contributed to continuing chaos, in which vaccine eligibility rules have been implemented differently county by county. As CalMatters reported, the state quietly rolled out a promised clearinghouse website to help people find vaccination appointments. But it's still a work in progress. [Track the vaccine rollout in California and other states.] Read more: One of the biggest contributors to Los Angeles County's surge is its overcrowded housing. [The New York Times] Mandatory masking for interstate travel. Ramped up manufacturing. Here's more of what's in President Biden's pandemic executive orders. [The New York Times] Experts believe as many as thousands of coronavirus deaths have not been counted in San Bernardino County, giving a false sense of the disease's deadliness. [The Riverside Press-Enterprise] Fear over testing positive for Covid-19 and not being able to return to work, as well as worries over the vaccines, are hurting the eastern Coachella Valley. [The Desert Sun] A coalition of more than 50 Bay Area restaurants and wineries sued Governor Newsom over the state's outdoor dining ban. [The San Francisco Chronicle] Getting millions of people vaccinated will help reduce infections. But vaccines alone won't end the pandemic. [The New York Times] The governor's $2 billion school reopening fund could actually cost districts money. [CalMatters] Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Here's what else you might have missed over the weekend Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced that his office was beginning a civil rights investigation into the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced a civil rights investigation into the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, a huge agency wracked by allegations of overuse of force and deputy misconduct. A similar investigation into the Kern County Sheriff's Office ended last month. [The Los Angeles Times] If you missed it, Mr. Becerra was tapped to join the Biden administration to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. [The New York Times] The master tenant of the Ghost Ship warehouse, where 36 people died when a fire tore through the building in Dec. 2016, has pleaded guilty to 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter. [The New York Times] A Syrian family came to the United States in 2016. Now, they're hoping to finally be reunited with their son, after the Trump administration's travel ban has ended. [The San Diego Union-Tribune] Why Vice President Kamala Harris's historic "firsts" matter — and where they fall short — according to political science. [The New York Times] "I've been around as long as Joe Biden." What the president could learn from former Gov. Jerry Brown. [The New York Times] If you missed it, I talked with Mr. Brown last year about why we should all be paying more attention to the Doomsday Clock. [The New York Times] Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Over the weekend, California started getting some much-needed rain, and more is expected. But that raises concerns about mudslides and flash flooding in places that burned last year. [The New York Times] And if you missed it, here's why climate change means California will be increasingly whipsawed between weather extremes. [The New York Times] And Finally … U.C.L.A.'s Nia Dennis during a gymnastics meet earlier this month in Anaheim.Kyusung Gong/Associated Press If you need a morning pick-me-up, the U.C.L.A. gymnastics team has you covered — again — with Nia Dennis's viral floor routine, featuring music from Kendrick Lamar and Tupac. (California love, indeed.) 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, graduated from 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. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for California Today from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018

NI ban on British soil + NIO defends meeting with loyalist umbrella group over Brexit

Another 14 Covid related deaths recorded

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Subscribe              Jan 25, 2021           Good morning In the news today: * Sam Mcbride reports that the Irish Sea border has led to a ban on even tiny quantities of British soil being brought into Northern Ireland and is perversely incentivising the destruction of the environment. * A £30 million, three-year contract to design and manufacture a prototype for the UK's first fleet of uncrewed fighter aircraft is to support more than 100 jobs in Belfast. * The Northern Ireland Office has defended meeting with an umbrella group representing loyalist paramilitary groups - reportedly over their mounting concerns regarding the impact of Brexit. * Another 14 people die with Coronavirus as 74 fight for life in ICU. And  * Exclusive extracts from News Letter journalist Jonny McCambridge's new book 'Afraid of the Dark', chronicling his long struggle with depression and his journey to recovery as he raises his young son. * If you want to enjoy accurate, fact-checked journalism that you can trust, why not sign up for a digital subscription?  You can have unlimited access to the work of our top journalists, thought-provoking columnists and exclusive content from as little as £1 a month? Check out your subscription options here. Stay safe Michael Cousins Deputy digital editor           Gardeners snagged by farcical new Irish Sea border rule as British soil is banned from Northern Ireland because of Brexit – and harmful peat is promoted           The Irish Sea border has led to a ban on even tiny quantities of British soil being brought into Northern Ireland and is perversely incentivising the destruction of the environment, the owner of a major garden centre has warned.                 Wattlebridge security operation ends - 'no community should live under threat of such violence' - device found in bus shelter declared a 'hoax'   The local community in Wattlebridge, Co Fermanagh have been thanked again for their 'patience and support' as the PSNI confirm the security operation in the area has ended,           NI motorists asked to reduce speed with 'hazardous freezing temperatures' - or avoid unnecessary travel   Motorists are this morning warned that driving conditions this morning are 'hazardous on many roads due to freezing temperatures'.           Mother and baby homes survivor: It's time to lift the veil of secrecy   A survivor of a home for unmarried mothers and babies in Northern Ireland has called for the doors of secrecy around the institutions to be flung open.           Chapter Chat: Royal Black launches its plans to mark centenary of NI   The Royal Black Institution has launched its plans to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland.           Philip Smith: New research shows that for 'neithers', the problem with the Union is unionists   Much has been written about the critical 20% of the Northern Ireland electorate that comprise the swing voters, the persuadables, in any future border poll. Research by new pro-Union campaign Uniting UK provides some good news for the Union but bad news for political unionism.           Jonny McCambridge exclusive book extract: I told my son 'Daddy's afraid of the dark as well, you know'   News Letter journalist Jonny McCambridge's new book 'Afraid of the Dark', chronicles his long struggle with depression and his journey to recovery as he raises his young son.               How to drive in snow and ice: best way to handle a car safely on snowy and icy roads - and which gear to use to stay in control   The winter weather shows no signs of letting up, with more freezing conditions and snow hitting huge parts of the country and more expected.       How to quickly deice a car windscreen: The quickest and easiest ways to defrost and demist your car   Iced-over windscreens are the bane of many drivers' lives during winter, delaying departures and forcing them to stand in the cold scraping frost from the glass.                             Still positives to take insists Dungannon Swifts boss Kris Lindsay           Dungannon Swifts may have slipped to a fourth defeat on the spin on Saturday, but boss Kris Lindsay felt there were plenty of positives for his side to take out of the game.                   Rory McIlroy third in Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship   Tyrrell Hatton produced a brilliant final round to win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as Rory McIlroy missed out on the title once again.       Ireland lose ODI series to Afghanistan   Rahmat Shah produced a brilliant unbeaten century to steer Afghanistan to victory over Ireland and secure an unassailable 2-0 lead in their one-day international series in Abu Dhabi.       Oran Kearney pleased as Coleraine take advantage to climb the table   Going into Saturday's game Coleraine knew they had the chance of putting pressure on the teams above them.                             View more news

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