California Imposes Overnight Curfew

California will be under a mandatory curfew starting tomorrow night. State officials imposed the curfew because of a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases. Dr. Mark Ghaly is the California Health and Human Services Secretary. “COVID goes from zero to 60 miles per hour very quickly. We’re in a place today but that can very rapidly change. But further restrictions is what we hope to avoid.” The halt to non-essential work, movement or gatherings between 10pm and 5am applies to all counties in the purple tier, including San Diego county. The order will take effect at 10 PM Saturday, November 21 and remain in effect until 5 AM December 21. San Diego County sheriff bill gore says his deputies are going to start enforcing COVID-19 restrictions countywide. Gore says so far police departments in Oceanside, Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado and the city of san diego have agreed to support enforcement efforts. But city officials in El Cajon say they're not planning to enforce restrictions. We'd like to get compliance from our chiefs but if they're not going to join with us in enforcement actions if that becomes necessary we will issue those citations by ourselves without assistance The county says the goal isn't to be punitive. They're only going after blatant and willful violators of the public health orders. Just this week more than three dozen cease and desist letters were sent to eateries, gyms and other businesses still open for indoor operations. It’s Friday, November 20th. This is San Diego News Matters from KPBS News. I’m Anica Colbert. Stay with me for more of the local news you need to start your day. As some COVID-19 vaccine candidates show promise, San Diego County is working on how it would distribute a vaccine if one got emergency approval. But KPBS Health Reporter Tarryn Mento tells us the county is challenged by many unknowns. Officials say they're still waiting on details about what vaccine may be approved and when. But San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher says they are planning for every scenario and how to get that information out. "Brainstorming possible logistical arrangements storage facilities other types of things we could need. Planning out a robust communications strategy to engage with the public when appropriate about who is eligible, where they could go and how that might work." Fletcher says a county clinical advisory group will begin meeting after Thanksgiving and they are also developing community working groups. State and federal guides direct counties to identify high-risk populations that may be first in line for any emergency authorized product. Initial doses will be limited. Tarryn Mento, KPBS News. About a month ago, a 39-year-old Mexican citizen who was in mental distress was shot and killed by a San Diego police officer. KPBS reporter Max Rivlin-Nadler tells us his widow is now beginning the long legal process of trying to hold the city accountable. Legal permanent resident Jose Castro Gutierrez was panicking and confused a month ago when he asked his neighbors to call the police. He ran out of his home asking for help and holding a shower curtain road, and within seconds a police officer killed him. Now, his widow, Ana Ojeda, is filing a claim against the city -- a first step in an eventual lawsuit. Now he's not here and We demand justice to clarify the excessive use of force, used by the police, and we are here to seek other ways to attend to mental illness crisis, without having to resort to death. The San Diego Police Department told KPBS Thursday that there are no new updates on the case at this time. It's currently being reviewed by the police department, its homicide unit, and the District Attorney's office. Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS News. San Diego County Supervisors are under fire after they voted to approve the controversial Otay 13 housing development his week. KPBS Environment Reporter Erik Anderson has details. Supervisors voted four to one to approve the Otay Ranch Village 13 project. Developers hope to build close to two-thousand homes on undeveloped land east of Chula Vista. Critics say the project is wrong for the county. Housing policy advocate J-P Theberge says the board of supervisors may be pushing to act before the new board takes office in January. That could mean pending changes in the nearby Otay 14 project get approved, allowing them to build on preserved habitat. “They’re basically swapping lower quality land, habitat land for preserved land that’s already been preserved in perpetuity.” Theberge says these issues aren’t settled. The state attorney general has spoken out and may challenge the developments over safety and climate concerns. Erik Anderson KPBS News A coalition of local Latino elected officials and community leaders want Governor Gavin Newsom to appoint a Latino man or woman to replace Kamala Harris in the U-S Senate. KPBS’ Jacob Aere reports. When Vice-President-Elect Kamala Harris leaves her Senate seat in January, local leaders like Chula Vista Mayor Mary Salas want Governor Newsom to appoint a Latino or Latina to replace her. "It's only through having representation that represents the demographics of this state that we will get equity. So Governor Newsom, if you're listening to this, do the right thing" California has never had a Latino to represent the state in the U.S. Senate. Latinos currently make up nearly 40 percent of the state's population. Jacob Aere, KPBS News. The Exorcist movie is nearly 50 years old yet it still ranks as one of the films that most scares audiences. Leap of Faith is a new documentary that explores the making of the film with its director William Friedkin. KPBS film critic Beth Accomando says it's a deep dive into the filmmaking process. Bill Friedkin day one, take one… Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on the Exorcist is essentially a hundred minutes of the director talking about himself and the making of his1973 film. CLIP I didn't want any flashbacks, just a straight ahead story done as realistically as possible. Realism in a film about demonic possession was a clever approach and Friedkin is quick to take credit for that. He has a big ego but it's backed by remarkable talent and the ability to dissect his own work in intricate detail. He's an articulate artist who can explain how the lighting in a painting influenced a shot in his film. If you can put up with his arrogance then you'll get amazing insight into his filmmaking process and a new appreciation for The Exorcist. Beth Accomando, KPBS News. Coming up on the podcast….certain airlines and airports are creating "bubbles" for travelers. The idea is to allow you to travel, thanks to preflight coronavirus testing. "Health officials are encouraging people to stay put but we're seeing the tsa and airports around the country preparing for an uptick in passengers." That story is next after this break. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say you shouldn’t travel for Thanksgiving. Still, places like Alaska and Hawaii are allowing people who test negative for COVID-19 to avoid quarantine. Lori Aratani writes about travel for The Washington Post. She spoke to Midday Edition co-host Mark Sauer about how certain airlines and places have created preflight coronavirus testing. That was Lori Aratani of the Washington Post, speaking with Midday Edition co-host Mary Sauer. That’s it for the podcast today, thanks for listening and have a great day.