Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, May 23, 2020

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, May 23, 2020 

LOS ANGELES COUNTY 

COVID-19 UPDATE

REMEMBER VIETNAM VETERANS WHILE 
HONORING SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN THIS 
MEMORIAL DAY By Dr. Edward C. Ortell, Citrus College Trustee, Area 3 Representative

“I am afraid that someday Ron will be forgotten.” 

These words, spoken by the widow of Staff Sergeant Ronald “Ron” Sagers, who 
was killed in action (KIA) in Cambodia in 1970, echo in the hearts and minds of 
Vietnam veterans and their families across the nation today.

During hostile action, Ron, age 25, received multiple fragmentation wounds 
while treating and evacuating his men. He was posthumously awarded a Silver 
Star, a Purple Heart and several other military honors. I knew him as a school 
mate in the rural town of Maquoketa, Iowa. But, his sacrifice would no doubt 
have faded from my memory, had he not also been my cousin Ronnie.

All military veterans—those serving today and those who have served in the 
past— deserve our nation’s heartfelt appreciation. While the memory of WWI 
veterans lives on in family lore and a few remaining WWII veterans highlight 
the service men and women of the Greatest Generation, the soldiers who served 
in other conflicts, such as Korea, are heralded less often. Those veterans who 
served in conflicts in the Middle East are part of the fabric of our daily lives as our 
friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members. 

Many Vietnam veterans, however, are living out their days with little recognition 
of the tremendous price they paid in the service of their country. Fighting a long 
and unpopular war, they were vilified, booed and even spat on when they returned home. In the field, they experienced 
horrific conditions and witnessed extreme brutality.

On Memorial Day 2012, a presidential proclamation was signed giving Vietnam veterans well-deserved and long overdue 
recognition. However, thousands of Vietnam vets still battle PTSD, depression, alcohol abuse, domestic problems, 
homelessness and suicide.

Community colleges have become a resource for Vietnam veterans, providing them with a place to find veterans benefit 
information, access counseling and workshops and tap into other resources that will improve the quality of their lives. 
For the past 10 years, Citrus College has earned a place on the national Military Friendly Schools list, which recognizes 
colleges and universities that have a reputation for helping student veterans succeed. 

This year, annual events honoring veterans may be canceled or postponed. So if you encounter a veteran, please take the 
opportunity to thank them for their service. If that person happens to be a Vietnam veteran, they might be deserving of 
a special nod of respect this Memorial Day. 

About the Author:

Dr. Edward C. Ortell is the senior governing board member at Citrus College and a Professor Emeritus at Pasadena City 
College. He has served on the California Community College Trustees (CCCT) state board of directors and 11 terms as 
president of the Citrus College Board of Trustees

As of Friday, May 22, 2020, Public Health has identified 43,052 positive 
cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County, and a total of 2,049 
deaths. Ninety-two percent of people who died had underlying health 
conditions. Of those who died, information about race and ethnicity is 
available for 1,892 people (99 percent of the cases reported by Public 
Health) 39% of deaths occurred among Latino/Latinx residents, 29% 
among White residents, 17% among Asian residents, 12% among African 
American residents, 1% among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 
residents and 1% among residents identifying with other races. Upon 
further investigation, 57 cases and two deaths reported earlier were 
not LA County residents. As of today, 6,093 people who tested positive 
for COVID-19 (14% of positive cases) have been hospitalized at 
some point during their illness. There are 1,506 people who are currently 
hospitalized, 26% of these people are in the ICU and 19% are on 
ventilators. Testing capacity continues to increase in LA County, with 
testing results available for over 412,000 individuals and 9% of people 
testing positive.

“For all of you who are experiencing the profound sorrow of losing 
someone you love to COVID-19, we are deeply sorry. You are in our 
thoughts and prayers through these difficult times,” said Barbara Ferrer, 
PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “This weekend, continue 
to use all the tools we have to slow the spread of COVID-19. We 
have shown that these actions work, and I am certain we can continue 
to protect each other through our recovery journey. The job we do in 
protecting each other will impact our numbers of new cases, hospitalizations 
and the number of people who pass away several weeks from 
now.”

A new Health Officer Order is being issued today that replaces the 
previous Health Officer Order and allows for the reopening of beach 
bike paths and parking lots, indoor mall curbside service, and select 
vehicle parades. Retailers remain closed to public entry along with 
beach piers, and public and private gatherings of any number of people 
outside of a single household unit are still not permitted. The Health 
Officer Order also continues to require specific higher-risk businesses 
to remain closed. Everyone must continue to follow distancing and 
infection control protocols, stay at least six feet apart and wear a clean 
cloth face covering that securely covers both your nose and mouth 
when in contact with other people not in your household. 

As the recovery journey continues and more people are out of their 
homes, it may be more difficult to slow the spread of COVID-19. Because 
there is a 14-day incubation period for COVID-19, the actions 
everyone takes today will impact where numbers are in two or three 
weeks. The best protection against COVID-19 continues to be to wash 
your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth 
with unwashed hands, self-isolate if you are sick, practice physical distancing 
(especially by staying at home) and wear a clean face covering 
when in contact with others from outside your household. People 
who have underlying health conditions remain at much greater risk 
for serious illness from COVID-19, so it will continue to be very important 
for the County's vulnerable residents to stay at home as much 
as possible, to have groceries and medicine delivered, and to call their 
providers immediately if they have even mild symptoms.

LA County is in stage two of the five-stage Roadmap to Recovery and 
until the final stage five is reached, Health Officer Orders and directives 
will continue to ensure that we slow spread of COVID-19 to prevent 
an overwhelming surge of COVID-19 cases at healthcare facilities. The 
Health Officer Order, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, 
Roadmap to Recovery, Recovery Dashboard, and additional things 
you can do to protect yourself, your family and your community are 
on the Public Health website, www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.


IN-HOME CAREGIVERS REMAIN ON THE FRONTLINES DURING 
COVID-19

 

The elderly and those with underlying medical conditions are most susceptible to the 
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). For that reason, the very nature of home care makes it 
the safest environment for these individuals during this uncertain time.

Keeping clients safe, healthy, engaged 

Because personal and companion care services are delivered one-to-one in the home, professional 
caregivers are in the best position to provide much-needed care and to observe 
any health challenges or significant changes to a client’s condition. Caregivers can also 
ensure clients have the necessary essentials, such as non-perishable foods; prescription 
and over-the-counter medications; and household supplies.

As much as we encourage our elderly to stay social and engaged, it’s best to temporarily 
limit visits with others right now. But being at home doesn’t mean being isolated. Caregivers 
can provide conversation and companionship and help clients stay virtually connected 
to the ones they love through video chat, phone and window visits.

Ongoing training is key

We’ve taken extra care to provide our team with the most up-to-date safety information 
and training to keep everyone protected and healthy during this time. This includes educating caregivers on our infection 
control program, ensuring they are prepared to utilize the protocols we have in place, and training them on the 
proper and safe use of personal protective equipment. 

Constant communication with our caregivers is key. In addition to monitoring clients for COVID-19 symptoms, caregivers 
monitor themselves daily, report symptoms, and follow established protocol regarding staying home when sick.

Standard protocols help minimize risk

As a standard practice, we have an infection control plan in place so that caregivers take every precaution necessary to 
safeguard the health and safety of themselves and their clients. Following these established protocols is not new to us as 
we have always been vigilant about protecting everyone from illness, be it the flu, COVID-19, or any other communicable 
disease.

 

Home care is essential right now as many of our elderly and other adults rely on the assistance of professional caregivers 
to support them and meet their critical needs inside the home.

 

This article is provided by David Kapojos, a US Army combat veteran and an owner of FirstLight Home Care of Pasadena. 
For more information, visit us at www.pasadena.firstlighthomecare.com or call (626)360-0048,

email: dkapojos@firstlighthomecare.com

FirstLight Home Care of Pasadena

612 W. Duarte Road. Suite 707

Arcadia, CA 91007


LOS ANGELES COUNTY EMERGENCY 

OPERATIONS CENTER COVID-19 UPDATE 
5/22/2020 3:30pm

LOS ANGELE COUNTY 

 Total Cases 43,052

 Hospitalized 1,506 

 Deaths .2,049 

STATS BY CITY Population Cases Deaths 

Pasadena 14,1371 662 79

Uninc- East Pasadena 6,403 3 0

City of Arcadia 57,754 70 5

Uninc. - Arcadia 7.981 7 1

City of Bradbury 1,069 3 0

City of Duarte 22,016 103 14

Uninc.- Duarte 4,428 15 0

City of Monrovia 38,800 137 17

Uninc - Monrovia 3,881 17 0

City of Sierra Madre 10,989 9 0

City of So.Pasadena 26,053 119 18

Uninc.- Altadena 43,260 132 5

For updated information go to: http://dashboard.publichealth.
lacounty.gov/covid19_surveillance_dashboard/ 


BUYER BEWARE---- A TAILGATE PARTY COMING TO A 
RESTAURANT NEAR YOU

Tailgating in your favorite restaurants parking lot ? Seems strange but it just might be true, 
State Leaders are pushing an idea to have restaurants being able to use attached space as areas 
where customers can sit and dine al fresco, I’ll keep you posted.

Here’s an oldie-but-goodie problem: I myself got caught in the net. I have preached a hundred 
times to make sure you look at your receipt when dining out. Last week my friends and I 
ventured out and about town watching college football at three different Pasadena watering 
holes. My turn to buy was at a legendary Mexican restaurant. We ordered two rounds of 
margaritas - their taste was magnificent! Then came time to pay, and my bill was just short 
of $90! How could that be for just six drinks? I would understand at the Langham or at 
a beach side resort, but come on. The bartender explained to me that one of my friends, 
unbeknownst to me, is a regular and always orders Patron. Well, I didn’t know that, but okay, 
I paid the bill, and I hope my loss is your gain. Read the bill, and make sure when you order 
a house glass of wine or a margarita that you read the fine print. 

“Let The Buyer Beware!” You have heard the old adage time and time again, and sometimes 
a good deal really is too good to be true. Two emails caught my attention this week, so I 
thought I would share some wine knowledge with you.

Close-out sales on wine can be the source of a real bargain or they can you leave you with 
some expensive cooking wine. Reader Randy from Altadena was excited to purchase several 
bottles of wines at a “going out of business” sale, only to discover that the wines had gone bad.

There are four things to look for to determine if a wine has turned bad: 

- Has the wine changed color? Does the red wine now have a hint of brown, or has the white 
wine turned darker?

- Does the wine still have “legs”, meaning are there streaks of wine attached to the glass after 
a good swirl of the wine?

- Does it still smell like wine? 

- Is the cork pushing its way out of the bottle? This usually means that the wine has been 
exposed to the heat or has been mishandled.

If your answer to any of these is “yes”, stay away from this wine.

Reader Sally from Whittier tried to find a 2011 vintage of her favorite Pinot Noir. She ended 
up with a 2006, and said the bottle was a little dusty. When you do find a bargain on a bottle 
of wine make sure the wine has been stored on its side and is not too dusty, and once the cork 
is pulled it should be moist. 

My own experience for sparkling wine at a 
restaurant, if you are buying by the glass, is 
to ask the server/bartender to open a fresh 
bottle. Sparklers are susceptible to losing 
their bubbles within a few hours after 
opening. Most importantly, there should 
be a “pop” sound when uncorking, and if 
the cork comes out too early beware.

Listen in to AM 830 KLAA this Sunday evening William O’Neill the Mayor of Newport 
Beach is on my show

TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills

thechefknows@yahoo.com


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com