ICU Capacity nears 0%

Good Morning, I’m Annica Colbert….it’s Friday, December 18th. Fact Checking whether Economic Shutdowns are worth it. We’ll have that story next. But first... let’s do the headlines…. California reported over 50,000 new COVID-19 cases on thursday...that’s equal to what the whole country was averaging back in October. There was a record of 379 deaths, and more than 16,000 people are in the hospital. That’s 3 times the number just one month ago. Intensive care capacity is now at less than 1% in many of California’s counties. Locally, San Diego county officials reported more than 2600 cases yesterday and 22 additional deaths. As the pandemic worsens and unemployment goes up...so does hunger. James Floros, president and CEO of the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, says this year the number of people struggling with food insecurity in San Diego is estimated to have doubled to nearly 1 million. An outbreak of a contagious bacterial dog disease was reported in the county on thursday. The San Diego County Health and Human service agency says that since October there have been 34 confirmed and probable cases of leptospirosis. The cases were mostly in Hillcrest and Mission Hills. Some cases were linked to kennels, but some dogs only had other contact with dogs at a dog park. Several dogs were hospitalized and one had to be euthanized. From KPBS, you’re listening to San Diego News Now. Stay with me for more of the local news you need. There’s been a lot of debate about whether government imposed shutdowns during the pandemic go too far and unnecessarily harm society and the economy. Some GOP lawmakers in California claim there’s no evidence that shutdowns reduce COVID-19 cases or spikes. In the latest segment of Can You Handle The Truth….CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols spoke with Anchor Mike Hagerty about fact checking those claims. Chris, which lawmakers are making this claim and what exactly are they saying? CHRIS: One example is Republican state Assemblyman James Gallagher. He represents the northern Sacramento Valley. And he made his statement on twitter the same day that California issued its new regional stay-at-home order closing several business sectors. He wrote “Government imposed lockdowns do NOT reduce [COVID-19] cases or stop spikes.” ANCHOR: Who did you speak with to fact check that statement? CHRIS: I spoke with Lee Riley. He is professor and chair of infectious disease and vaccinology at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health. He said the confusion over whether shutdowns work is understandable. States with some of the toughest mandates like California are also seeing the biggest spikes. But he also said that Gallagher simply got this wrong. That government restrictions do reduce COVID-19 cases, because they eliminate some of that close contact that leads to the spread of the virus. 01Riley: But If you really look at the data closely, everytime they instituted restrictions, we saw a decrease in the cases. A decrease in both the cases, the number of hospitalizations [and] number of deaths. So, they clearly work. The problem is when these restrictions are eased or lifted, that’s when we see the resurgence. This is what people are looking at and saying the restrictions don’t work. And that’s absolutely incorrect.” (:28) ANCHOR: Chris, you followed up with Assemblyman Gallagher to see if he stands by his statement. What did he say? CHRIS: Yes, I told him about our findings. And he said he remains unconvinced, saying he believes the drop in cases is more a correlation and not proof that the shutdowns caused them. Here’s what he said: 01Gallagher: “I think it would be very difficult for any scientist or epidemiologist to say that the science is clear. Because first of all we’ve never done these kinds of lockdowns historically when it comes to pandemics. So, we haven’t even had the opportunity to do peer-reviewed scientific research to show that the lockdowns, scientifically, worked.” (:29) ANCHOR: Chris, did you find any scientific studies that have looked at this? CHRIS: Yes, there are some well-vetted studies on this. One was published last month by the federal government -- specifically the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It found that stay-at-home orders in Delaware this spring, when combined with public mask mandates and contact tracing, led to an 82% reduction in COVID-19 cases, an 88% drop in hospitalizations and a 100% decline in deaths. It’s important to note that the studies also say success depends on how much the public cooperates with these stay-at-home orders -- and that no single strategy is likely to be effective by itself. The mandates have to be combined with masks, hygiene and people keeping their distance. ANCHOR: In the end, how did you rate Gallagher’s claim? CHRIS: We rated his claim as False. That was CapRadio’s PolitiFact California reporter Chris Nichols speaking with anchor Mike Hagerty. You can find Chris’ Fact Checks online at PolitiFact-Dot-Com-Slash-California. Several restaurants across San Diego have begun reopening their doors after a Superior Court judge ruled restaurants can reopen with some restrictions. The change came on Thursday after the judge ruled in favor of two strip clubs that defied a statewide shutdown order. KPBS’ Jacob Aere reports. Judge Joel Wohlfeil said there was no compelling evidence that allowing restaurants to operate, with health and safety restrictions, adds to the risk of spreading COVID-19. General Manager Alex Navarette of Karina’s Restaurant Group says the decision is a blessing during a difficult year. “Now we have to get the word out now that we are open again, indoors as well as outdoors, and get our customers back in. And it is a glimmer of hope that maybe we can get some income for the employees.” Businesses will still have to follow COVID-19 safety practices based on the state’s tier system, which is linked to covid spread. Jacob Aere, KPBS News. On Thursday, newly inaugurated San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria issued a statement imploring San Diegans to continue to heed public health guidance despite the ruling. He says no one wants small businesses to be closed, but that the science and data is showing a dire trend in hospitalizations and deaths. He urges all San Diegons to continue to stay home as much as possible, wear a mask, avoid large gatherings, and order to-go to support small businesses. He added that there’s a collective obligation to accept the personal responsibility of keeping each other safe. Volunteers in covid-19 vaccine trials receive either the real experimental vaccine or a placebo, but they don’t know which. That’s so scientists can compare data from the groups without participants influencing results. As part of KPBS’ Pandemic Profile series, KPBS health reporter tarryn mento introduces us to two volunteers who think they figured out who got what. The lack of side effects left trial volunteer Jennifer Bernal frustrated. “There wasn't even a tender arm after like a flu shot.” The mom of two enrolled in Moderna’s vaccine trial to get immunity and protect her family. She also wants to fight against a virus that can put patients on ventilators — her wife recently went through it for other complications. But Bernal thinks her painless injection is a sign she got the placebo. Meanwhile her cousin and fellow trial participant Alisia Martinez experienced a sore shoulder, fatigue and an itchy underarm. “I did get worried. I was going, God, am I going to have an armpit forever? Because it was, like, really itchy and then my arm just like not being able to lift it.” The side effects were brief. And among the common reactions reported. But Bernal is convinced it means her cousin got the good stuff. “Obviously, I really wanted the immunity, but I'm glad for her because she does have three kids.” It’s unclear when they’ll know for sure. Moderna this week could be the second emergency approved vaccine after Pfizer. Federal regulators must decide if companies can inform placebo participants and alter the remainder of study to offer them the emergency approved vaccine when eligible. Tarryn Mento. KPBS News. That was KPBS Health Reporter Tarryn Mento. On thursday, a federal advisory panel voted to recommend that the moderna vaccine should receive emergency use approval. The FDA is expected to follow the recommendation. On thursday, San Diego officials got a single bid for a 20 year contract to provide the city with gas and electricity . KPBS metro reporter Andrew Bowen has more... AB: San Diego's contract that allows SDG&E to deliver electricity and gas to customers expires in one month. The incumbent utility was the only company to bid on a new contract, and its bid was the bare minimum allowed: 80 million dollars. The city could just take that deal. But City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera says the city should try to negotiate a better one. SER: We cannot commit to a bad deal simply because we are in an economic crisis in this moment. This will impact the city for decades after the city recovers from the current downturn. AB: Mayor Todd Gloria's office says it is likely to ask for an extension of the current contract with SDG&E to relieve some time pressure and better evaluate the best path forward. . Coming up.... A story of one Mexican-American teenager coming to terms with her immigrant grandparents’ supporting Donald Trump. “It’s kind of hard for me to understand, how they could vote. Everything you’ve gone through to stay in this country, to have you green card, and stuff. How could you do that? But as I mentioned before it comes down to perspective.” That story next, just after this break. In North County, Mexican-American Marlene Herrera, a first-generation college student, spent election night trying to keep her political opinions to herself. This is KPBS reporter Max Rivlin-Nadlers final installment inf a series of stories for Every 30 seconds, a collaboration with the show The World. Approximately every 30 seconds a young Latino in the US turns 18 - voting age. The series explored the young Latino electorate in the US during this election year. MARLENEFINAL ME (4:05) Marlene saw her Mexican-American family go both ways during the election. My Dad’s house -- they have a very different political view than me and I spent that election week here. So while everyone was rooting for the other side, I wasn’t. Especially my grandpa. He kept coming out while the counting was coming in and saying ‘Trump won, Trump won,” but like in Spanish. And I’m like ‘no he didn’t,’ ‘it’s not done yet,’ ‘stop listening to your news.’ Her father and mother split up when she was young. So she divides her time between households. Her father’s parents are immigrants from Mexico. They live with him and they all supported Donald Trump. Marlene’s mother was pulling for Joe Biden. In the days after the election, she kept in touch with her mom about the results…. But my mom and I, we were messaging each other, saying ‘have you seen the election?’ ‘Did you see?’ And the minute that it was Philadelphia that turned, and it cleared the way for Biden, my mom was the first person to call me. ‘Did you see the election results?’ ‘Did you see them?’ I was like yes, I did, I just woke up by the way, thank you! [Laughs] A third of Latinos usually vote Republican…. But Trump was able to build on that in this year’s election, which left a lot of people wondering why… Marlene, who felt the impact of anti-immigrant rhetoric in her own high school… was coming to terms with her grandparent’s support of Trump. I think the main thing that surprised me was my grandparents. Considering the fact that they did come here as immigrants. And the whole hate that was sparked around the community because of Trump. It’s kind of hard for me to understand, how they could vote. Everything you’ve gone through to stay in this country, to have you green card, and stuff. How could you do that? But as I mentioned before it comes down to perspective. They’ve always lived with my dad. So you know they’ve always been with my dad through everything, they’ve always seen him work and stuff. That very much influenced that they were voting for him Reflecting on these choices, Marlene realizes there’s so much more that impacts someone’s politics than just their identity. Her own father, who manages a grocery store, saw his hard work translate to economic stability. Marlene says, this has led to a more comfortable life for her brother, Junior, who lives full time with their father. As much as my dad helps me out, he gets me the things I need, I didn’t grow up the same way Junior did. I grew up in a single mother household. Having to ride the bus everyday. My mother was on food stamps. Needing government help. Marlene’s own experience has influenced her politics. But changing the minds of people in her immediate family, once they’re made up, has been challenging… Especially during a year where they’ve all been stuck inside together… It’s so hard to change a perspective, I know I get frustrated. It’s just a huge split on both sides of my family. Deb: And KPBS reporter Max Rivlin-Nadler joins us now. You’ve been following Marlene Herrera all year — how has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted her life and political perspective? She’s had a turbulent year. She graduated high school and started college, all virtually. On top of that, she’s been helping her aunt take care of her three kids -- so throw babysitter into the mix as well. So in terms of her own life experience, she’s often felt like the federal government’s lack of ability to control the virus has had her miss out on some vital life experiences… so her bar is pretty low when it comes to what she wants out of politics. She tells me, that as a Latina, working her way through college, she just doesn’t want a government that’s working against her. She’s seen how the direct stimulus payment helped out her mom, but also how her mother wasn’t able to see a doctor when she was sick earlier in the pandemic. So she’d like to see things like universal healthcare and more support for working people. Looking back on this project, what surprised you most about young Latino voters in San Diego? I think that young people, and especially young latinos, are under no illusion that their organizing or marching or agitating ended on November 4th. As young people, they’re fairly unified on a few issues — the environment, gun control, healthcare, the movement for black lives. But I think they’re still trying to figure out where they fit into the political system. That was KPBS reporter Max Rivlin-Nadler, reflecting on his year-long collaboration with “The World,” looking into young Latino voters. Playwright August Wilson chronicled African American life in his 20th Century Cycle of 10 plays, each focusing on a different decade. Now Denzel Washington wants to ensure that those plays make it to the screen. KPBS film critic Beth Accomando says Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is the second Wilson play he has produced for the screen and it’s now available on Netflix. With “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” August WIlson offers a fictional story about a real blues singer in 1927 Chicago. Screenwriter Ruben Santiago-Hudson had the challenge of adapting the play. RUBEN SANTIAGO-HUDSON: The stage people come to listen, in films they come to watch. So my challenge when I wrote Ma Rainey the movie was how do I save the Aria's as many as I can. In the hands of actress Viola Davis, those emotional arias truly sing in the film. CLIP “White folks don't understand about the blues. They hear it come out, but they don't know how it got there. They don't understand that's life's way of talking. You don't sing to feel better. You sing 'cause that's a way of understanding life.” Wilson understood life and now his great humanity is being vividly translated to the screen in films like “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” Beth Accomando, KPBS News. ….That’s it for the podcast today. Be sure to catch KPBS Midday Edition At Noon on KPBS radio, or watch KPBS Evening Edition at 5 O’clock on KPBS Television. As always you can find more San Diego news online at KPBS dot org. I’m Annica Colbert. I’ll be off next week. You’ll being hearing from your favorite host, KPBS Podcast coordinator Kinsee Morlan. Thanks for listening and have a safe weekend.