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ER usage is down during COVID-19. That's not good news. | Paul Sisson May 06, 2020

Show notes

County data show that the total number of daily emergency visits for all local hospitals since mid-March, when stay-at-home orders took effect, has dropped 40 percent on average when compared to rates for the same time frame last year.

Though it is unclear exactly how many are paying the price, a recent spike in death-related emergency calls in San Diego County, despite the overall death rate appearing to hold steady, suggests that the individual reports emerging from the front lines, not just in San Diego but nationwide, are important warning signs that people are delaying needed medical care during the pandemic.

No one in public health seems to disagree. Just last week, Dr. Eric McDonald, the county’s epidemiology director, made a heartfelt plea during a daily COVID-19 briefing for patients not to ignore worrying symptoms. Similar pleas have been made by other public health officials, including Dr. Nick Yphantides, the county’s chief medical officer, and by individual hospitals and health care systems.

County data show that, from March 15 through April 26, hospitals throughout the county handled an average of 1,129 fewer emergency cases per day compared to 2019. It adds up to more than 48,000 fewer emergency visits than were seen across all local hospitals during the same span in 2018 and 2019.

What it is like to be homeless during COVID-19 | Gary Warth May 05, 2020

Show notes

While county residents are told to stay inside during the COVID-19 outbreak, thousands of people still have no home in which to shelter. Instead, they are sleeping in doorways, in canyons and sometimes crowding together on sidewalks.

While San Diego County’s homeless population has not been hit hard by the virus, with no deaths from COVID-19 and a small percentage testing positive for the coronavirus, the population is considered especially vulnerable because many are older and in poor health.

On the streets of downtown San Diego or in riverbed encampments, many are very aware of the health risk and are wearing facial coverings and washing their hands whenever possible. Others shrug when asked if they are concerned, with some saying they feel safer outdoors and others dismissing the outbreak as unreal.

Introducing: "Name Drop" May 02, 2020

Show notes

“Name Drop San Diego” is a new, weekly podcast from The San Diego Union-Tribune that celebrates the people who have shaped San Diego and been shaped by it.

Each episode, you’ll get an up close and personal look at a San Diegan you should know, or meet a fascinating new personality to name drop to your friends. In Season 1, just to name drop a little, you’ll hear from Jon Foreman, the lead singer of Switchfoot; Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman in space; and Ralph Rubio, founder of the SoCal staple, Rubio’s Coastal Grill.

You’ll learn a lot. You’ll learn where Foreman’s favorite surf spots are and what Ochoa took with her into space. Our guests will also name drop other San Diegans they think you should know.

“We’d play shows all over San Diego and all the other bands would be cheering each other on,” Foreman said in an upcoming episode about how San Diego made an impact on Switchfoot’s early success. “San Diego always felt like a comradery and that is a huge part of why we are who we are, that we felt the support of our hometown, our peers, our heroes…”

The Union-Tribune’s Abby Hamblin and Kristy Totten will be your hosts for these compelling conversations with interesting and inspiring people who live in San Diego or who left to influence other places worldwide. Join us as we get to know the people who make San Diego proud.

Subscribe here: https://link.chtbl.com/follow

COVID-19 is infecting Latinos more than white people. Here's why. | Andrea Lopez-Villafaña May 02, 2020

Show notes

In San Diego County there's a racial disparity in who is testing positive for COVID-19. As of Thursday afternoon, 52 percent of all cases were among Hispanic and Latino people, despite being only 35 percent of the population.

See more detailed case data here: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/tracking-coronavirus-cases-san-diego-county

California schools might reopen as early as July | Kristen Taketa May 01, 2020

Show notes

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to start next school year earlier, as soon as late July, but San Diego school leaders emphasize that’s not going to happen unless a lot of other things happen first — including ramped up coronavirus testing, plans for physical distancing and even blended learning in schools.

“Just putting out there a specific starting time is probably not helpful,” said San Diego Unified School Board Vice President Richard Barrera. “What’s more helpful is to keep emphasizing these are the conditions that need to be in place before we can start to reopen.”

Some school leaders voiced skepticism of the idea. Poway Unified Superintendent Marian Phelps told families in a message Wednesday that an earlier school year is not likely.

“We have some major questions that need to be answered before we consider physically re-opening schools, such as maintaining the health and safety of our students and staff,” Phelps said. “Additionally, school calendars take a great deal of planning and coordination; any changes also could have major fiscal implications.”

Starting May 1, you're going to need to wear a mask outside | Pam Kragen Apr 30, 2020

Show notes

Wearing a mask is mandatory when you are outside starting May 1 in San Diego County. Reporter Pam Kragen discusses the details of the new rules, as well as provides suggestions about where to get masks or facial coverings.

North County leaders call for businesses to reopen soon | Phil Diehl Apr 29, 2020

Show notes

North County leaders want the region to push harder against the state’s mandatory stay-at-home order that forced many nonessential businesses to close.

During a Tuesday teleconference, county Supervisor Jim Desmond and five mayors stressed the toll the coronavirus pandemic has taken on their economies.

People are suffering without jobs, they said, and shuttered businesses are more than willing to use the same precautions currently being employed by essential businesses like grocery stores to reopen safely.

“If you go to Walmart right now, you’re not having your temperature taken, but you’re maintaining social distancing, you’re wearing a mask, you’re following the rules,” said Oceanside Councilman Chris Rodriguez, adding: “Business are creative, and they’re going to follow the rules because we all need to work together to get through this. ... We have to demand from the state to allow these businesses that are essential to our economy to open.”

Currently, the state’s health order dictates which businesses can be open. Although no county decision could lawfully supersede those regulations, officials could more aggressively lobby that Gov. Gavin Newsom allow the region to decide for itself how and when it reopens.

“The state has granted local authority in certain areas,” Desmond said. “We’ve seen that with real estate agents, we’ve seen that with gun stores … so this is to put North County on the record saying, ‘We’re ready to do what it takes to start opening businesses.’ ”

Rodriguez went further, suggesting the region should be prepared to get creative should the state choose not to lift existing regulations.

San Diego County's beaches are now open | Paul Sisson Apr 27, 2020

Show notes

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday criticized Californians who defied the statewide stay-at-home order and flocked to beaches this past weekend, saying that ignoring restrictions could prolong the spread of the coronavirus in the state.

Newsom’s comments come after thousands of beachgoers descended on the coast in Orange and Ventura counties despite his pleas last week to avoid the temptation of doing so during the warm weekend.

“This virus doesn’t take the weekends off,” Newsom said during his daily COVID-19 briefing in Sacramento. “The only thing that will set us back is people stopping to practice physical distancing and appropriate social distancing. That’s the only thing that’s going to slow down our ability to reopen this economy.”

South Bay emerges as COVID-19 epicenter | Gustavo Solis Apr 24, 2020

Show notes

As the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the South Bay, local officials want to see more testing to slow the spread.

“At this point, we are losing our patience,” said Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas during a Thursday news conference. “We want answers and we want to know specifically what is being done in the county and state level to protect our citizens.”

The mayors of National City and Imperial Beach, as well as San Diego Councilwoman Vivian Moreno, who represents District 8, joined Salas in shining a spotlight on what is going on in the southern half of the county.

“What’s clear is that residents of south San Diego County are suffering disproportionately from this crisis,” said Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina. “We want to make sure that all of our residents are protected.”

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