Thursday, April 16. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti welcomed LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas and Program Director in the College of Medicine and College of Science at Charles Drew University Dr. Cynthia Davis, to discuss the COVID-19 Pandemic. Mayor Garcetti is looking to converse with experts to find the best practice in keeping safe, as the health of Los Angeles is in flux. The Los Angeles Public Official also summarized the coronavirus statistics surrounding the Los Angeles region.
As of Thursday, April 16. there were 55 additional deaths, This brings the total COVID-19 related deaths in the L.A. County to 455. There were 399 new COVID-19 incidents reported April 16. In summary, there is a total amount of 10,854 coronavirus cases in the Los Angeles region. Public health experts advised an extreme jump in COVID-19 testing, such as a specific system of assessing patients, by tracing their contacts infected by the virus. Mayor Eric Garcetti held his conference at the Crenshaw Christian Center in South Central Los Angeles, which is the central hub for COVID-19 testing. The Forum in Inglewood also became a testing site, in order to combat the disproportionate death rate within the African American Community.
Director in the College of Medicine and College of Science at Charles Drew University, Dr. Cynthia Davis disclosed 2-3 more COVID-19 waves within the fall season. Cynthia Davis stressed that we must be prepared for what is to come. Dr.Davis compared the significance in the spread of COVID-19 to the HIV viral spread. Cynthia dedicated over 30 years of her career in HIV/AIDS education; she faced a familiar urgent need to bring attention to the coronavirus pandemic.
According to her years of study in the HIV Pandemic, Cynthia Davis stressed the differences in behavior between the two viruses. HIV took over 40 years to reach 1.5 million cases globally, coronavirus took 2-3 months to reach 500,000 positive cases within the U.S. alone. Dr. Davis stressed the physical guidelines and the importance in testing to combat the spread of COVID-19. Cynthia Davis declared, “…You want to use what is called, Universal Precautions, which means you treat everyone as if they have been infected with COVID-19 and take the appropriate precautions.” This includes hand washing, wearing a mask, and practicing social distancing.
LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas shared the benefits from using medical telecommunications for patients and first responders. Last week the Los Angeles Fire Department launched a telecommunication service for non-emergency related cases. The calls are dissected by level of emergency within the fire department dispatch center, licensed medical personnel then take the call virtually, by ‘face timing’ with the person that needs assistance.
The virtual development took over two years to construct, but the roll-out was accelerated due to this pandemic. This is essential for first responders to be where they are absolutely needed. Chief Ralph Terrazas disclosed that the Telemedicine, has a 100% client follow-up. After having a face time meeting with professional medical personnel, the fire department dispatch station follows up the next day to receive feedback and review.
As Los Angeles faces a pandemic that affected every essential part of human life, Mayor Eric Garcetti looks for the safest way to construct a pathway to recovery. Every life is in consideration, when dealing with such a contagious and fickle virus. Through the advice of experts and continual research, the Los Angeles Mayor is looking to make each move towards restoration. Mayor Eric Garcetti stated, “We not only have tried to save lives, but to save livelihoods as well.”
