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Why Jerry Brown’s Biographer Thinks ‘Moonbeam’ Is Unfair Why Jerry Brown’s Biographer Thinks ‘Moonbeam’ Is Unfair
(3 days later)
Good morning.Good morning.
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On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he and other leaders in the five members of the so-called Western States Pact, had asked Congress for $1 trillion in “direct and flexible” relief to help state and local governments pay firefighters, health workers and teachers in the face of plunging tax revenues.On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he and other leaders in the five members of the so-called Western States Pact, had asked Congress for $1 trillion in “direct and flexible” relief to help state and local governments pay firefighters, health workers and teachers in the face of plunging tax revenues.
“Red and blue states alike all are faced with the same Covid-19 math,” leaders from the states, including Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada, said in a letter to Congress. “The moment requires unprecedented partnership from all of us.”“Red and blue states alike all are faced with the same Covid-19 math,” leaders from the states, including Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada, said in a letter to Congress. “The moment requires unprecedented partnership from all of us.”
The request comes after Mr. Newsom said the state anticipated a $54.3 billion budget deficit — a catastrophic reversal. Later this week, Mr. Newsom is expected to release his updated budget proposal, which, as CalMatters reported, will almost certainly involve deep cuts.The request comes after Mr. Newsom said the state anticipated a $54.3 billion budget deficit — a catastrophic reversal. Later this week, Mr. Newsom is expected to release his updated budget proposal, which, as CalMatters reported, will almost certainly involve deep cuts.
[See which counties in California have the most coronavirus cases.][See which counties in California have the most coronavirus cases.]
We often link to sites that limit access for nonsubscribers. We appreciate your reading Times coverage, but we also encourage you to support local news if you can.We often link to sites that limit access for nonsubscribers. We appreciate your reading Times coverage, but we also encourage you to support local news if you can.
Today is Election Day in California’s 25th Congressional District. The race to fill the seat vacated by Katie Hill, the Democrat who stepped down last year, will be closely watched as a kind of microcosm of nationwide battles that will be fought in November: It’s a contest in an important swing district, and all eligible voters received vote-by-mail ballots, which have been at the center of fierce partisan fights.Today is Election Day in California’s 25th Congressional District. The race to fill the seat vacated by Katie Hill, the Democrat who stepped down last year, will be closely watched as a kind of microcosm of nationwide battles that will be fought in November: It’s a contest in an important swing district, and all eligible voters received vote-by-mail ballots, which have been at the center of fierce partisan fights.
Senator Kamala Harris isn’t clamoring to be Joe Biden’s running mate. [The New York Times]Senator Kamala Harris isn’t clamoring to be Joe Biden’s running mate. [The New York Times]
“When we walk into an E.R., what they sometimes see is not a patient who is suffering from respiratory illness, they see a black man here who needs something.” [The New York Times]“When we walk into an E.R., what they sometimes see is not a patient who is suffering from respiratory illness, they see a black man here who needs something.” [The New York Times]
Elon Musk said he’d restart Tesla’s Fremont factory, in defiance of Alameda County’s shelter-in-place order, which he previously railed against as “fascist.” [The New York Times]Elon Musk said he’d restart Tesla’s Fremont factory, in defiance of Alameda County’s shelter-in-place order, which he previously railed against as “fascist.” [The New York Times]
In a school year unlike any other, are digital test-proctoring services invasive? At least one U.C.L.A. student thinks so. [The New York Times]In a school year unlike any other, are digital test-proctoring services invasive? At least one U.C.L.A. student thinks so. [The New York Times]
Major League Baseball has proposed an 82-game season starting in July — without fans. [The New York Times]Major League Baseball has proposed an 82-game season starting in July — without fans. [The New York Times]
See images of socially distanced Mother’s Day visits to a Los Angeles nursing home after months away. [The New York Times]See images of socially distanced Mother’s Day visits to a Los Angeles nursing home after months away. [The New York Times]
My colleague Conor Dougherty talked to the author of a new book exploring Jerry Brown’s life and legacy:My colleague Conor Dougherty talked to the author of a new book exploring Jerry Brown’s life and legacy:
California has never had a leader like Gov. Jerry Brown, and it seems unlikely to ever again.California has never had a leader like Gov. Jerry Brown, and it seems unlikely to ever again.
Though Mr. Brown was sometimes caricatured as the flaky “Governor Moonbeam” who gave wandering and philosophical speeches, a new biography by Jim Newton, a journalist, author and lecturer at the University of California, Los Angeles, presents Mr. Brown as a contemplative politician whose spirituality guided his approach to governance. The book, called “Man of Tomorrow: The Relentless Life of Jerry Brown,” goes on sale today.Though Mr. Brown was sometimes caricatured as the flaky “Governor Moonbeam” who gave wandering and philosophical speeches, a new biography by Jim Newton, a journalist, author and lecturer at the University of California, Los Angeles, presents Mr. Brown as a contemplative politician whose spirituality guided his approach to governance. The book, called “Man of Tomorrow: The Relentless Life of Jerry Brown,” goes on sale today.
I spoke with Mr. Newton recently. Here’s our conversation, edited and condensed:I spoke with Mr. Newton recently. Here’s our conversation, edited and condensed:
Jerry Brown hated talking about his legacy when he was in office, so let me start by asking, how would you describe his legacy?Jerry Brown hated talking about his legacy when he was in office, so let me start by asking, how would you describe his legacy?
His leadership on the environment is probably the philosophical realm in which he will be remembered, especially outside of California and particularly on climate change. Also, not so much in his legacy, but in his life, he upended the assumption that a search for spiritual understanding is confined to the conservative part of American politics. He is a living example of (spirituality) being consistent with liberal political principles — that ideas like mercy and humility bend themselves toward or within a liberal point of view.His leadership on the environment is probably the philosophical realm in which he will be remembered, especially outside of California and particularly on climate change. Also, not so much in his legacy, but in his life, he upended the assumption that a search for spiritual understanding is confined to the conservative part of American politics. He is a living example of (spirituality) being consistent with liberal political principles — that ideas like mercy and humility bend themselves toward or within a liberal point of view.
I don’t think people have historically taken Mr. Brown’s spirituality, particularly as it relates to governing, as seriously as you do in the book.I don’t think people have historically taken Mr. Brown’s spirituality, particularly as it relates to governing, as seriously as you do in the book.
The popular conception of Jerry Brown’s spirituality was formed in the 1970s, and was realized in the nickname, Moonbeam. It’s an unfair nickname, I think. It was also the wrong time to take the full measure of him. He was 38 years old, and he’s lived a whole political lifetime since then. His search for a belief system was taken too lightly and was conflated in this idea that California itself was not to be taken seriously. He kind of got mixed in this stew of hippies and the Summer of Love, none of which really applied to Jerry.The popular conception of Jerry Brown’s spirituality was formed in the 1970s, and was realized in the nickname, Moonbeam. It’s an unfair nickname, I think. It was also the wrong time to take the full measure of him. He was 38 years old, and he’s lived a whole political lifetime since then. His search for a belief system was taken too lightly and was conflated in this idea that California itself was not to be taken seriously. He kind of got mixed in this stew of hippies and the Summer of Love, none of which really applied to Jerry.
When people heard he’d studied to be a priest and then gave it up, when people heard he was interested in meditation and then Buddhism, it felt like he was hopscotching around spiritual disciplines. In fact there is a strong through line in all of that, which is that these are disciplines that ask questions about a man’s relationship to nature, man’s relationship to God, the right way of proceeding, humanity’s place on the Earth.When people heard he’d studied to be a priest and then gave it up, when people heard he was interested in meditation and then Buddhism, it felt like he was hopscotching around spiritual disciplines. In fact there is a strong through line in all of that, which is that these are disciplines that ask questions about a man’s relationship to nature, man’s relationship to God, the right way of proceeding, humanity’s place on the Earth.
At the same time, you present Mr. Brown as very ambitious politically, so it’s this mixed portrait.At the same time, you present Mr. Brown as very ambitious politically, so it’s this mixed portrait.
There’s a quote from his former adviser Nathan Gardels, which is that there’s a part of Jerry that always wanted to be president of the United States, and there’s a part of Jerry that always wanted to be a monk. For Gardels, the moment those come together was when he was mayor of Oakland. I think it’s no coincidence that Brown kind of comes into himself in those years. He’s experiencing politics not as an abstract intellectual exercise but as the actual delivery of services.There’s a quote from his former adviser Nathan Gardels, which is that there’s a part of Jerry that always wanted to be president of the United States, and there’s a part of Jerry that always wanted to be a monk. For Gardels, the moment those come together was when he was mayor of Oakland. I think it’s no coincidence that Brown kind of comes into himself in those years. He’s experiencing politics not as an abstract intellectual exercise but as the actual delivery of services.
In the book you write that “the standard of successful leadership is not the elimination of all problems but rather proof of progress.” Returning to the idea of legacy, it seems to me that it’s just so much harder to define Jerry Brown’s legacy than it is to define the legacy of his father, Pat Brown, who built tangible things like the state university system and the California State Water Project.In the book you write that “the standard of successful leadership is not the elimination of all problems but rather proof of progress.” Returning to the idea of legacy, it seems to me that it’s just so much harder to define Jerry Brown’s legacy than it is to define the legacy of his father, Pat Brown, who built tangible things like the state university system and the California State Water Project.
Jerry Brown has been asked his whole professional life to compare himself to his father, and he resents it a little bit. It’s not an entirely fair comparison, because they governed in different times. Pat governed in a time of growth. What do you do if you’re a governor who’s managing growth? You build things. Jerry Brown comes to office in the ’70s, and to some extent again in the 2010s, when the challenges were in the opposite direction. It’s easier to please people when you’re growing benefits and budgets than when you’re having to deny people.Jerry Brown has been asked his whole professional life to compare himself to his father, and he resents it a little bit. It’s not an entirely fair comparison, because they governed in different times. Pat governed in a time of growth. What do you do if you’re a governor who’s managing growth? You build things. Jerry Brown comes to office in the ’70s, and to some extent again in the 2010s, when the challenges were in the opposite direction. It’s easier to please people when you’re growing benefits and budgets than when you’re having to deny people.
Updated June 5, 2020Updated June 5, 2020
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
So I think Jerry Brown’s periods of governance are about governing in a much more mature place. This is especially true in the third and fourth terms, when the budget and economy were a wreck. He stabilized them and helped turn them around.So I think Jerry Brown’s periods of governance are about governing in a much more mature place. This is especially true in the third and fourth terms, when the budget and economy were a wreck. He stabilized them and helped turn them around.
Pat Brown got an aqueduct named after him. What should we name after Jerry Brown?Pat Brown got an aqueduct named after him. What should we name after Jerry Brown?
A spiritual retreat. Not a monastery, I guess, because that sounds too severe. But a meditation center. A place of learning.A spiritual retreat. Not a monastery, I guess, because that sounds too severe. But a meditation center. A place of learning.
In the margins of the book I wrote, “He’s a seeker who just happened to be governor.”In the margins of the book I wrote, “He’s a seeker who just happened to be governor.”
I hadn’t thought of the word “seeker,” but I think that’s right. If Pat’s a builder, Jerry’s a seeker.I hadn’t thought of the word “seeker,” but I think that’s right. If Pat’s a builder, Jerry’s a seeker.
California Today goes live at 6:30 a.m. Pacific time weekdays. Tell us what you want to see: CAtoday@nytimes.com. Were you forwarded this email? Sign up for California Today here and read every edition online here.California Today goes live at 6:30 a.m. Pacific time weekdays. Tell us what you want to see: CAtoday@nytimes.com. Were you forwarded this email? Sign up for California Today here and read every edition online here.
Jill Cowan grew up in Orange County, went to school at U.C. Berkeley and has reported all over the state, including the Bay Area, Bakersfield and Los Angeles — but she always wants to see more. Follow along here or on Twitter.Jill Cowan grew up in Orange County, went to school at U.C. Berkeley and has reported all over the state, including the Bay Area, Bakersfield and Los Angeles — but she always wants to see more. Follow along here or on Twitter.
California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from U.C. Berkeley.California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from U.C. Berkeley.