Capri Maddox also sits as 1st Chief Executive Director of New City Branch, The Civil and Human Rights Department, This Coming January 2021.
Friday, May 1. The elected Mayor of Los Angeles shared latest news surrounding the coronavirus outbreak. Although there is no certain timetable on when the economy will be fully open, it has been announced that low-risk businesses will be able to open within the next few weeks. Concerning news that social distancing is the new normal, influences all future human interaction will take place. May brings light to mental Health, the mayor addresses the main stressors that are provoking physical and emotional suffering during this pandemic. The Los Angeles City Mayor announced Capri Maddox will work as Chief Officer of the COVID Response Equity, she will prioritize services and strategies needed to combat the disproportionate death rate within underserved communities.
Mayor Eric Garcetti shared the latest update behind the COVID-19 outbreak in L.A. The elected Official shared as of May 1. there were 62 additional deaths. That accounts for a 6% increase since the report on April 30. This brings the total COVID-19 related deaths in the L.A. County to 1,172. The average death rate in a week has been 49 fatal cases per day. There were 1,065 new cases reported, bringing the total of positive COVID-19 reports to 24,215. The latest numbers reflect a 5% increase, since yesterday. There is a daily average of 690 new cases. Within the city of L.A., the new report reflects 11,553 COVID-19 cases.
The Los Angeles City Mayor wanted to assure that the Stay at Home Order is working, He stated,”…This disease is tough and brings a lot of bad news each night, but the good news is what you been doing, the good news is your actions, your judgment, your commitment to each other and this city.” The curve is flattening in result to everyone doing their part in adhering to the Safer at Home Order. The essential workers are also a key factor, as people stay inside, they risk their lives to keep the city infrastructure intact. These are very critical times to be aware and cautious. The actions of washing hands, wearing face masks, and staying inside are saving lives.
Testing is still the most emphasized defense to combat the spread of COVID-19. To keep people out of hospitals the mayor explained testing sites are a necessity. Opening the opportunity to get test to all Angelenos was a progressive step to get better information of how the virus is spreading. There is need to continue scaling up testing. As of May 1. There are 35 sites online, in the County of L.A. Up to 12,000 people can get tested through these locations. Records show over 165,000 people have been tested. Although there is an open opportunity to get tested that are owned by the city of Los Angeles, there is still a level of prioritization. The COVID-19 testing sites will prioritize communities that are most vulnerable to coronavirus. Getting tested only secures the present moment, if results are negative, that is only for the time being and does not account for a future infection.
Mayor Garcetti recognized the preexisting disparities that have impacted underserved communities. He mentioned that African Americans, LatinX, and Asian-pacific islander ethnicities have fewer options to work from home or take time off. Within this pandemic, they are at a higher risk to more exposure. There is higher level of underlining health conditions within particular minority communities, which leads to a fatal outcome for those who may contract COVID-19’ specifically in low income communities and high-density areas of color. Mayor Eric Garcetti stated, “COVID-19 laid bare long-standing inequities… that are generations of neglect and discrimination, its our responsibility to call those truths out.” The problem is undeniable, there is a question of what future projects within City Council will combat the discriminatory gap, that is clear to see due to the escalation of death within these communities.
The Los Angeles City Mayor announced that Capri Maddox will work as Chief Officer of the COVID Response Equity operation. She will also be the 1st Chief Executive Director of the city’s new Civil and Human Rights department, the mayor announced the new branch will be launching this coming January. Within her political career, Capri Maddox’s served as Deputy City Attorney, she later was appointed by former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to be president of the Los Angeles Board of Public Works. Mayor Eric Garcetti spoke highly of Maddox, “Capri’s intellect and powerful sense of justice and equality will make her an outstanding leader of the Department of Civil and Human Rights,” As Chief Officer of the COVID Response Equity organization, her mandate is to keep equity as the primary lens which city council will refract their actions in every stage of their response.
Capri Maddox will head strategies for low income communities, she will work with partners throughout the city to identify where the impact of this pandemic is unequal. Eric Garcetti ended his remarks behind this announcement by saying, “As long as this pandemic persists, we will serve every Angeleno, no matter who you are, and we will provide services to every community.”
