Today on AirTalk, we learn more about the move to bring CSU classes online through the fall. Also on the show, we discuss what the extended stay-at-home order means for LA County; what dining in at restaurants might look like in the near-future; and more.
Interview With Cal State University Chancellor Timothy White, As CSU Moves Classes Online In Fall
The 23-campus California State University system will conduct almost all of its classes online for the fall 2020 semester, Chancellor Timothy White said today.
In an announcement during the online CSU Board of Trustees meeting, White said a few exceptions will be made for instruction that can not be effectively delivered online, like nursing classes and essential lab courses.
But most students will continue with the remote learning classes that started in March when campuses were shut down because of the coronavirus outbreak. White told the trustees that "evolving data" from public health officials show the potential for a second wave of COVID-19 in the fall and into 2021.
"Experts also point out that immunity in the population is now approaching the 2 to 3% range and needs to be in the 60 to 80% range to begin to achieve the so-called herd immunity," White told the trustees. "That won't happen during the next 18 months. And there is no vaccine yet. And while hope springs eternal, it is unlikely that one will become widely available throughout the coming, academic year."
With files from LAist.com
Read Adolfo Guzman-Lopez’s story on LAist.com here
Guest:
Timothy White, chancellor of the California State University, which is comprised of 23 campuses, over 480,000 students and 53,000 faculty and staff
Californians Buckle Down For Extended Stay-At-Home As LA County Beaches Open Today And Businesses Prepare To Reopen Soon
Barbara Ferrer, L.A. County’s public health director, made big news yesterday when she told the Board of Supervisors that the current stay-at-home order will extend until July.
It sounded grim, but in an interview with Nick Roman, who hosts our newsroom's "All Things Considered" afternoon show, Ferrer clarified her earlier statement. Between now and July, she said, the restrictions will be gradually lifted and changed. The process will allow officials to keep “limitations on what opens [and] how it opens most safely for both workers and customers,” she said, adding that her comments were “never meant to suggest that the order, as it exists today, is in effect for the next three months.” There are now 32,263 coronavirus cases and 1,570 deaths in L.A. County, and at least 69,346 cases and 2,779 deaths in California. Worldwide, there are more than 4.2 million cases and over 291,000 deaths.
Los Angeles County beaches reopened Wednesday for limited access and active use that does not involve large groups. Permitted activities include surfing, swimming, running or walking, but group activities like volleyball, picnicking or anything that involves large groups congregating are still prohibited. California Gov. Gavin Newsom also announced Tuesday that some restaurants and shopping malls could reopen soon in counties that have met state standards for testing and reducing infection numbers.
Also on Tuesday, New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that his state is now investigating about 100 cases in children of a mysterious inflammatory syndrome thought to be related to the virus, which affects blood vessels and organs and has symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease and toxic shock. Three children in the state have died and Cuomo advised all hospitals to prioritize COVID-19 testing for children presenting with symptoms. Elsewhere, Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared before a Senate panel alongside Centers for Disease Control Director Robert Redfield, and both warned lawmakers that reopening the country too hastily could cause a new spike in infections and set the process of reopening the economy back even farther than it already is.
With files from LAist and the Associated Press
Guest:
Peter Chin-Hong, M.D., infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center; he tweets
With ‘Stay At Home’ Here To Stay For The Summer, How Are You Navigating Peer Pressure To Break Quarantine At Home And Work?
When COVID-19 first began to spread, self-quarantine was a no-brainer for most. But as days turned into weeks and pages started to come off the calendar, cabin fever set in. People became restless, they started going to beaches and hiking trails on weekends for a taste, if only briefly, of that sweet pre-coronavirus life that now feels like a distant memory.
Then came the holidays -- Passover, Ramadan, Easter and Mother's Day, all centered around being with and celebrating family. For some, the pressure finally became too much and they just had to organize a get-together so things would feel somewhat normal again, even if only for an afternoon. But if you're someone who isn't quite ready to re-enter those kinds of social situations with other humans just yet, how are you supposed to respond when you're the only person in your family who doesn't think Mother's Day dinner is a good idea?
We've heard numerous tales on AirTalk of peer pressure to hangout with family and friends as 'stay at home' goes on and people yearn for human contact and social interaction that isn't through a screen or plexiglass barrier. The struggle is real -- you know the safer option is likely to stay in but you don't want to miss out on the fun. No doubt many of us have felt this kind of pressure from family members, friends or even from work. Many employees who have either been working from home or out of work altogether face pressure from themselves or possibly coworkers or managers to return to the workplace, and it can create a struggle between one's desire to work hard and not get left behind, and the knowledge that it might still be too soon to go back into the office.
Today on AirTalk, we want to hear from you. How are you navigating these types of situations where you have to balance a fear of missing out with current public health rules due to COVID-19? Join the live conversation at 866-893-5722.
Newsom Announces Guidelines To Reopen Restaurants To Dine-In Customers. What Will That Look Like?
Southern California restaurants aren't likely to reopen for dine-in seating any time soon but when they do, eating out will look totally different than it did in the Before Times.
You might have to place your order in advance, even if you're dining in. Dining rooms will probably be much emptier. The bar areas of most restaurants will likely remain closed. And you almost certainly won't be able to watch your waiter prepare tableside guacamole or Caesar salad (we miss you, La Parrilla and Dal Rae).
Although only two of California's 58 counties — Butte and El Dorado — are currently able to move deeper into Phase Two of the state's reopening plan, more counties are looking to modify their stay-at-home orders. When they do, here are some of the rules that officials want restaurants to follow, according to guidelines released today by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Let's clarify: California is NOT requiring restaurants to abide by these guidelines. Many restaurant reopening rules will be set at the county and local level. This is a buffet of options that authorities can choose to implement as they loosen stay-at-home orders. Today on AirTalk, we discuss the new guidelines and the likely timeline for L.A. businesses. Are you a restaurant owner or employee? How are you preparing to reopen your business so it’s safe for workers and customers? We want to hear from you. Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
Read the full story on LAist from Elina Shatkin
Guest:
Jot Condie, president & CEO of the California Restaurant Association, an advocacy organization for the restaurant industry
Online University Exams Mean Digital Proctoring -- And Some Students Have Privacy Concerns
With exams coming up and students taking class at online, many universities are turning to digital proctoring to keep them honest come exam season.
This can range from an actual proctor monitoring students via their cameras, or it can mean software that locks your browser from opening additional tabs or it can mean AI software that scans students’ faces and rooms and watches for signs of cheating. As reported by the New York Times, some students see these technological measures as Orwellian and invasive, and feel cornered by an online learning situation that doesn’t allow for other options.
We dive into these digital proctoring technologies, as well as the privacy concerns they raise for students.
Plus, if you’re a university administrator, faculty or student who’s interacted with digital proctoring, what’s your take? Call us at 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Shawn Hubler, California correspondent for The New York Times, where her latest story is “Keeping Online Testing Honest? Or an Orwellian Overreach?”; she tweets
Julie Uranis, vice president for online and strategic initiatives at University Professional and Continuing Education Association
The Latest Results From The Race To Replace Katie Hill In The 25th Congressional District
After polls closed Tuesday night, Republican Mike Garcia jumped out to a strong lead with early mail-in ballots in the 25th District special election to complete the rest of ex-Rep. Katie Hill's term in Congress.
As of this morning, Garcia was up 12 points on Democrat Christy Smith.
"I won't give a victory speech tonight," Garcia said on a conference call with supporters and members of the media. But he added, "it is looking extremely good."
Democratic Assemblywoman Christy Smith said in a statement it's too early to call the race. Her party has a registration advantage in the north L.A. and eastern Ventura County district, which Hill won by nine points.
With files from LAist.com
For the latest on the race from KPCC reporter Libby Denkmann, click here
Guest:
Libby Denkmann, senior politics reporter at KPCC; she tweets