In California: More contagious COVID-19 variant arrives, and 'most' Hollywood productions on hold
Plus: Californians may face tax penalty for not having insurance during pandemic and California Supreme Court delays prison releases from San Quentin
Winston Gieseke here, philanthropy and special sections editor for The Desert Sun in Palm Springs, on the penultimate day of this crazy year. I don't know about you, but I'm hoping for good things in 2021. In the meantime, here's what's happening in this great state of ours.
In California brings you top Golden State stories and commentary from across the USA TODAY Network and beyond. Get it free, straight to your inbox.
More contagious COVID-19 variant found in San Diego
The Golden State has reported its first case of a more contagious COVID-19 variant first identified in the United Kingdom. It's the second confirmed case in the United States after Colorado, which reported the variant's first U.S. case on Tuesday.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, speaking remotely with the nation's leading infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, confirmed the case Wednesday afternoon. "We likely will be seeing reports from more states," Fauci said. "This is something that's expected."
San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said a 30-year-old man in the county with no travel history tested positive for the new strain on Tuesday.
"Because there is no travel history, we believe this is not an isolated case in San Diego County," Fletcher said. He urged residents to stay at home for New Year's celebrations, citing the region's already strained healthcare system.
Scientists in the United Kingdom said the strain, B.1.1.7, is more contagious than previous strains but not more severe. The strain, which, according to models, has an increased transmission rate of 70% compared with other variants in the U.K., was first spotted in September in southeastern England. By the week of Dec. 9, the strain was responsible for 60% of cases in the city.
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, mutates regularly and acquires about one new mutation in its genome every two weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The new variant has been identified in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore, India, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates. Researchers believe current COVID-19 vaccines will likely protect against the new variant, but data is needed.
Newsom proposes $2 billion to reopen K-2 classrooms in February
Gov. Gavin Newsom expressed concern Wednesday that while most of California's students are currently learning virtually, not all students "are learning equally."
“As a father of four, I know firsthand what parents, educators and pediatricians continue to say: In-person is the best setting to meet not only the learning needs, but the mental health and social-emotional needs of our kids,” the governor said via statement.
In addition, in-person classrooms would open for other students who are disproportionately impacted by distance learning, such as special education students, children in foster care, children experiencing homelessness and students who need extra support.
The proposed funds, which work out to approximately $450 per student, would go toward increased COVID-19 testing, personal protective equipment for staff and students, contact tracing to track cases within schools and vaccinations for teachers and staff.
Union: 'Most' Hollywood productions to stay on hiatus after COVID surge
Leaders of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) have released a letter saying "most entertainment productions will remain on hiatus until the second or third week of January, if not later" as Los Angeles deals with a tremendous spike in coronavirus cases.
As reported by nbcnews.com, the announcement came a day after the L.A. County Department of Public Health requested that the film and television industry reconsider filming at this time. “Although music, TV and film productions are allowed to operate," the department said, "we ask you to strongly consider pausing work for a few weeks during this catastrophic surge in COVID cases. Identify and delay higher risk activities, and focus on lower-risk work for now, if at all possible.”
Californians may face tax penalty for not having insurance during pandemic
Some California residents who lost a job — and their health insurance — during the coronavirus pandemic may face financial penalties when they file their taxes next year.
The Individual Shared Responsibility Penalty fines people for not having a health insurance plan if they don't qualify for certain exemptions. The penalty is in effect for the first time in 2020 after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 78 last summer, which requires Californians to have health insurance and provides for some state subsidies to help people offset the cost of coverage.
A penalty for an uninsured family of three earning $150,000 could be about $2,522, according to the California Franchise Tax Board website. An individual who earns $46,000 could be charged $750.
Exceptions include people whose lack of coverage is for three continuous months or less. There's also an "affordability exemption" for people who would be spending more than 8.24% of their income on the cheapest available Covered California plan. Also exempt are those who qualify for Medi-Cal and those whose income does not require filing a tax return.
Want to find out how much you may owe? Visit the state franchise tax board's online tool.
These new California traffic laws take effect in 2021
If you're one of the estimated 26 million licensed drivers in California, you might want to brush up on the state's new traffic laws going into effect in 2021.
For example, drivers will now be required to slow down or change lanes when approaching stationary emergency vehicles with emergency lights — for example, a tow truck or a Caltrans vehicle — on local streets and roads. Up to now, such slowing was only required on freeways. In addition, good Samaritans will not be held responsible for damaging vehicles in order to remove unattended children age 6 or younger. These changes go into effect Jan. 1
Beginning July 1, if you're caught more than once within 36 months driving while using a cell phone "in a handheld manner," a point will be added to your driving record. That means no texting while driving or talking while driving, unless you're using a hands-free device. Those younger than 18 cannot use any devices while driving.
Also beginning Jan. 1, eligible disabled veterans may verify eligibility for special or distinguishing license plates or a disabled person parking placard if they present certification from the California Department of Veterans Affairs or a county veterans services officer. (Previously, the DMV only accepted certification from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in the absence of a medical certificate.)
California Supreme Court delays prison releases from San Quentin
In October, after COVID-19 devastated the prison population of San Quentin, a California appeals court ordered that the correctional facility, located outside of San Francisco, release or transfer at least half of its 2,900 inmates.
The First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco said in the Oct. 21 decision that state officials had acted with “deliberate indifference” to the health of their inmates. At the time, 75% of the prison population had tested positive for coronavirus and 28 had died.
But after requests from prison officials to overturn the ruling, the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the state Supreme Court has put the order on hold, saying the lower court should have heard testimony from prison officials, inmates or medical experts before ruling on the matter.
“It appears that there are significant disputes about the efficacy of the measures officials have already taken to abate the risk of serious harm to ... prisoners, as well as the appropriate health and safety measures they should take,” the court said in a unanimous order Dec. 23.
The appellate panel has asked opposing sides to submit written arguments by Jan. 22 to help determine whether to order a hearing on the evidence, which could be conducted by a Superior Court judge.
Farewell, Mary Ann
And lastly, it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to "Gilligan's Island" star Dawn Wells, who charmed television audiences in the 1960s and beyond as wholesome castaway Mary Ann. Wells died Wednesday in Los Angeles from COVID-19 complications. According to her representative, the actress, 82, "passed peacefully ... in no pain."
"I will always remember her kindness to me," said "Gilligan" castmate Tina Louise, who played Ginger, in a statement. "We shared in creating a cultural landmark that has continued to bring comfort and smiles to people during this difficult time. I hope that people will remember her the way that I do — always with a smile on her face."
That's all, folks. Wishing everyone a safe and informed New Year's Eve. In California will pause for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day and be back in your inbox on Monday, Jan. 4.
In California is a roundup of news from across USA Today network newsrooms. Also contributing: nbcnews.com and San Francisco Chronicle.
As the philanthropy and special sections editor at The Desert Sun, Winston Gieseke writes about nonprofits, fundraising and people who give back in the Coachella Valley. Reach him at winston.gieseke@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: More contagious COVID-19 variant reaches state
