Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, July 23, 2022

Mountain View News Saturday, July 23, 2022 8 Mountain View News Saturday, July 23, 2022 8 
BARGER ISSUES STATEMENT ON ANDRES 
CACHU’S ARREST AND D.A.’S ROLE: “THIS IS 
UNACCEPTABLE.”

 Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued the following statement regarding this 
week’s arrest of Andres Cachu in the Palmdale area — a convicted murderer and reputed gang 
member set free last year after serving only 6 years of a 50-year sentence due to Proposition 57 
and the District Attorney’s decision to not object to his release: 

“This case exemplifies all that is wrong with our County D.A.‘s underwhelming approach to 
fending for victims’ rights and prosecutorial decisions. I am relieved that no one in the Antelope 
Valley community was hurt or lost their life during the re-arrest of Mr. Cachu, but that 
was largely due to the responding Sheriff ’s deputies’ skills and, frankly, luck. 

The public’s safety was greatly endangered due to our D.A.’s inaction. When Cachu sought 
a new sentence last year, the D.A. could’ve pursued a court hearing so a judge could decide 
whether Cachu should remain in state prison. He chose to not do so, despite the heinous nature 
of the murder Cachu committed and the victim’s family’s pleas. This is unacceptable. 

While criminal justice reform is important, it’s clear to me that the D.A.’s role must demonstrate 
a more balanced approach — one that is grounded in a commitment to victim’s families’ 
rights and that consistently seeks the maximum accountability possible." 

LA COUNTY HEALTH UPDATE 

As LA County Remains in High COVID-19 Community Level, 
Practical Common-Sense Steps Can Slow the Spread 

LA County remains in the CDC designated High Community Level this week with the 
rate of new COVID hospital admissions increasing to 11.4 admissions per 100,000 people. 
The 7-day case rate also increased this past week by 30%; at 481 cases per 100,000 
people, this is higher than the case rate in February during the Omicron winter surge. 

While some of those infected experience only mild illness, many do not, and we see this 
in the doubling of emergency department visits for COVID over the last two months. 
We also see this in staffing shortages at worksites, including at healthcare facilities. Outbreaks 
at workplaces are disruptive and expensive since there is cost associated with 
covering shifts and preventing further spread. Households with infected members also 
suffer disruptions: for some, this includes lost wages, difficulties isolating, and needing 
help caring for children. 

High community transmission also leads to preventable, avoidable deaths, primarily 
among those most vulnerable. Nearly 4,500 people have already died from COVID this 
year. If we can slow down transmission, we have a chance at preventing some people 
from dying in the upcoming months. 

The Chef Knows By Peter Dills 
SUMMER WINE BUYING TIPS 

First of all wine prices have gone up 9% in the past few months, so if 
you shop at the Bottle Shop, Vons or on line I suggest buy now and 
hold!! 
When is a wine sale not really a sale at all? One of our Southern 
California grocery stores is getting ready for a 30% off sale. I only 
wanted one bottle, so as I looked at the so-called “regular” price before 
discount, I found myself shaking my head. There is no way 
these wines are regularly priced so high. Wines I have never seen 
in the $20 range (like Domaine Chandon, Roeder Estate, Kendall 
Jackson, and even Korbel) were all priced like I was at Spago. A 
non-grocery beverage center did a 5-cent sale (buy one and get one 
for 5 cents) which seems like a good deal. Even at the regular price 
of $190 a bottle I’ll take a bottle of Dom Perignon if the next one is 
for 5 cents. But no, the small print specified “selected wines”. Now, 
my favorite retailer has come up with a buy one get one for 10 cents 
(why not 8 cents?) sale. Every student of wine or expert sommelier 
says “no matter the price, if you like it buy it”. My word to the wise is that if you can handle 
buying six bottles at a time, these “grocery store sales” can yield you a bit of savings, so don’t buy 
into the “regular” price - I sure don’t! 


I had to jump on the bandwagon, so I bought the Clos du Bois Chardonnay at the buy-one-getone-
for-10-cents special. I scanned the bar code with my smart phone for the “true” discount 
price and here is what I found: the lowest price was $13.00, but since you have to buy through 
the internet, once you add the shipping cost it doesn’t make sense. The wine retails for $16.99, 
plus ten cents for the second bottle, which makes it $12.55 for each bottle. Now, if you get six 
bottles there is another 10% savings. My accounting got me in trouble a few months ago, so let’s 
call that a guestimate, but the savings are real. 

In summary yes, the Clos du Bois is great value at the discounted price, and with summer here 
there will be more sales at supermarkets for sure. Try the scan on your favorite wine, it will give 
you roughly what you should be paying. If you don’t have a smart phone, ignore the retail price 
and look at the bottom price and the total discount. There are some real deals out there. 

Tom Leykis is my Sunday evening guest at 5 PM AM 830 KLAA 


It is also clear that many individuals infected with COVID have experienced long COVID, 
and with big increases in cases, there are likely to be more people reporting illness 
symptoms weeks after initial infection. The most common symptoms reported for Long 
COVID are fatigue and exercise intolerance, however breathing problems, brain fog, 
prolonged loss of taste and smell, and even sudden hair loss have occurred for some. 
The symptoms vary and may last or reappear over time. 

High transmission has been fueled by increased circulation of BA.5, a sub-variant that 
is associated with high rates or reinfections. Given the results from a recent large study 
among veterans that identified increased risks to health created by repeat infections, 
slowing spread is likely to also help lower the risk of reinfections. 

Being up-to-date on vaccinations offers the best chance of not experiencing the worst 
outcomes. Vaccines and boosters continue to significantly reduce the risk of severe 
disease and death from COVID, should residents become infected. If residents have 
underlying health conditions or are an older adult, they should be prepared to seek 
treatment right away if they become sick with COVID. There are free, lifesaving-medications 
available to treat residents should they become infected and sick. 

At home, and in the community, there are several steps residents can take to lower risk, 
including getting tested if sick or recently exposed, and isolating away from others if 
they tested positive. When out and about, don’t wait for a masking requirement before 
masking indoors. If planning to attend a private event, residents should test themselves 
before going and stay home if they test positive. When hosting an event, it makes sense 
when transmission is this high to ask others to test before attending. Outside remains 
safer than inside for parties and events. If gatherings do move indoors, increasing ventilation 
and masking indoors when not actively eating or drinking is sensible, especially 
if anyone with vulnerable health is attending. 

At workplaces, maximizing ventilation is primary as it reduces the amount of virus in 
the air, should an infected person be present. Workplaces must provide medical grade 
masks and/or respirators and may choose to require indoor masking. Workplaces that 
are experiencing outbreaks have additional reporting, masking, testing, and return to 
work required measures. 

“I send my deepest sympathies and wishes of peace and comfort to the many families 
who have lost a loved one from COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, 
Director of Public Health. “What we have learned over the course of the pandemic is 
that this is a dangerous virus. We benefit enormously for all the effective tools at hand, 
and they allow most of us to fully live our lives: we travel, we go to parties, we enjoy 
concerts, plays and sporting events, and we get together with those we love. However, 
when transmission is really high, we would be foolish to be complacent and not layer in 
additional protections that help those most vulnerable also fully live their lives. We are 
a wonderful county, with amazing people and have a long history of working together 
to protect each other.” 

Today, Public Health reported 20 additional deaths and 8,091 new positive cases. Of the 
20 new deaths reported today, one person was between the ages of 18-29, three people 
were between the ages of 30-49, six people were between the ages of 65-79, and eight 
people were aged 80 years or older. For information on the one death reported by the 
City of Long Beach and the one death reported by the City of Pasadena, visit longbeach.
gov and pasadena.net. Of the 20 newly reported deaths, 16 had underlying health conditions. 
To date, the total number of deaths in L.A. County is 32,604. 

Public Health has reported a total of 3,253,323 positive cases of COVID-19 across all 
areas of L.A. County. Today’s positivity rate is 15.7%. 

There are 1,247 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available 
for more than 12,297,229 individuals, with 24% of people testing positive. 

A wide range of data and dashboards on COVID-19 from the Los Angeles County 
Department of Public Health are available on the Public Health website at http://www.
publichealth.lacounty.gov 


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