Thursday, May 7, Los Angeles Officials provided news surrounding the recovery stages, L.A. is conceiving a new normal post pandemic. The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors partnered with the city mayor, to create a phased plan for approved local businesses to open such as florists, car dealers, and stores that sell toys, books, clothing, sporting goods, and music stores. They will be only operating by curbside pickup. There will be more businesses opening over the course of this month, however if numbers begin to reflect a negative turn, L.A. Public officials will draw back from opening business and community spaces.
There has been progress within the fight of COVID-19, but when all businesses will be fully operational is inconclusive. The priority during the recovery is to minimize risk of spreading the virus. The work industry on a national scale has been heavily impacted, there has been over 3.2 million unemployment claims filed last week. There is also a higher chance of African American and LatinX communities to lose their job than other ethnicities. The L.A. County is working with health experts, business and labor partners to construct a sound decision behind economic recovery. The criteria are outlined by the state governor, public officials have that in consideration to move from one stage to the next.
Barbara Ferrer, L.A. County Director of Public Health shared the latest updates on the COVID-19 Virus. Ferrer shared Thursday, May 7. there were 51 additional deaths, 42 of these individuals were between the ages of 65 and over, 32 of them with underlining health conditions. 6 people who died were between the ages of 41-65, 3 of them had preexisting health concerns. One victim was under the age of 41 with preexisting health conditions. This brings the total COVID-19 related deaths in the L.A. County to 1,418.
Ferrer disclosed as of May 7, there were 815 new COVID-19 reports. In summary, there is a total amount of 29,427 coronavirus cases in the Los Angeles region. 791 incidents were reported in the city of Long Beach and 501 cases in the city of Pasadena. Among the unsheltered community, the positive case count has reached 215, with 119 victims sheltered and properly isolated.
For the 1,309 fatal cases where race and ethnicity were identified; 12% were African American, 18% were Asian, 38% were LatinX, 28% were white, and 1% were native Hawaiian or pacific islander, and 1% identified as another ethnicity. As a result of the disproportionate death rates, Ferrer mentioned that the county is working on an action plan to combat the discrepancy, the plan is posted on the Los Angeles County website and looking to be updated on Friday.
As the plan to recovery continues, the county has released a “five-stage recovery roadmap” for a gradual approach to relaxing specific directives of the Stay at Home Order. This will initiate additional businesses to open in certain sectors. Stage two begins Friday, May 8. Physical distancing guidelines will still be enforced. Next week, there is anticipation for additional retailers, manufacturers, and recreational facilities to be operational. The next few stages may include higher risk businesses, such as movie theaters, schools, colleges, and universities. Until stage five is reached, health orders and directives will continue guiding the county’s decisions. The goal is to maintain minimal spread of coronavirus.
