🌱 Fungus On CDC's Radar Now In SD + Hospitals Still Dumping Patients

Hello everyone! It's Bettyann Pernice, your host of the San Diego Patch newsletter. It's finally Friday, and we're ready for the weekend. Sip that coffee/tea, munch on that blueberry muffin, and read on for news of what's happening today:

• Fungus threatens people with weakened immune systems.
• Hospitals are still dumping patients on the street.
• Tiny Homes may be a temporary solution to homelessness.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny and cool.⛅ High: 62, Low: 47.

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Here are four of the top stories today in San Diego

1. Twenty cases of the drug-resistant fungus Candida auris were diagnosed in San Diego since January. Healthcare providers are on alert as the fungus is spreading in hospitals and may prove deadly to those with weakened immune systems. The fungus lives in mucous membranes and can be easily transmitted to others through body contact or by touching infected surfaces. Symptoms include fever and inflammation of the affected areas. Frequent hand-washing is the best line of defense against the disease. (NBC San Diego)
2. SB-1152 requires hospitals to have a plan in place for discharging transient hospital patients, but some homeless patients were discharged directly to the street after treatment. This so-called “patient dumping” occurred at Scripps Mercy Hospital last year, and the patient, who suffered from heart disease, died within hours of his discharge. He died alone on the sidewalk. Homeless advocates want the California Senate and Assembly Human Resources committees to investigate. (NBC San Diego)
3. After receiving a $300 a month rent increase, a young woman and her daughters were thrust into homelessness. After living in their car for months, the family is now living in a tiny structure on a property in El Cajon — thanks to the Meridian Baptist Church. The temporary emergency sleeping cabins are a total of 96 sq. feet, and include beds, storage spaces and heat. The church’s pastor hopes other churches will allow tiny houses on their property to help those in need. (NBC San Diego)
4. An outdoor mural representing the vibrancy and color of Escondido’s business and arts community will be installed on Sunday, March 26, 3 p.m., as part of ESCO Alley Art. The mission of the Mural Mosaic, created by 1,500 participants around the county, is to honor everyone’s individual perspectives and experiences in life. Check out ESCO Alley Art. (Times of San Diego)

Today in San Diego:

• Signing Storytime - College Rolando Branch Library (10:00 AM)
• Blood Drive - Pacific Beach/Earl and Birdie Taylor Branch Library (10:00 AM)
• Digital Navigator - Logan Heights Branch Library (11:30 AM)
• Silver Age Yoga - Carmel Valley Branch Library (1:00 PM)
• Teen Advisory Board - College Rolando Branch Library (4:30 PM)
• Kid's STEM: Exploring with a Microscope - MountainView/Beckwourth Branch Library. (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• 1,000 pets chipped since April 2022: "We're thrilled to share that we've hit a major milestone in supporting local pet families by providing the 1,000th FREE microchip since April 2022! Thanks to a generous grant from the San Diego County District Attorney, we were able to distribute these microchips at locations within communities that have more limited resources and access to vet services, including MLK Recreation Center." (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• Feeding San Diego nominated for best nonprofit: "We're proud to be nominated as Best Nonprofit and Best Place to Volunteer in this year's The Best of North County contest. Now we're asking you, our community, to vote for us! Voting closes on April 5 at 5 p.m. Vote here: Vote here: https://thebestofnorthcounty.com/vote/" (Feeding San Diego via Facebook)
• Science seminar series: "Don’t miss this month’s Science Seminar Series on Friday, 3/24 featuring a talk with SDBG Conservation Specialist, Rachel Sadowski! Rachel will share highlights from over the past year surveying, mapping, collecting and propagating 10 endangered species in the Otay Mountain Wilderness area as part of a conservation partnership with the Bureau of Land Management." (San Diego Botanic Garden via Facebook)
• Lawyers club exhibition: "Let's celebrate #WomensHistoryMonth #Exhibition: TO ADVANCE THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN LAW AND SOCIETY: LAWYERS CLUB OF SAN DIEGO AT 50 YEARS This exhibition, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the organization, tells the story of Lawyers Club organized activism and traces the development of this diverse social movement in San Diego. Learn more by visiting https://sandiegohistory.org/.../to-advance-the-status-of.../"

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll see you around!

— Bettyann Pernice

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming San Diego Patch newsletter? Contact me at sandiego@patch.com