Chairwoman Kathryn Barger

L.A. County Launches ‘WiFi Finder’ to Reduce Digital Divide During COVID-19

Betti Halsell Contributing WriterMay 15, 2020

The L.A. County acknowledged the critical necessity for internet to be widely available across Los Angeles. Schools and other academic programs are only accessible online due to the COVID-19 outbreak. According to American Community Survey Data for L.A. County, approximately 210,000 children have a computer. However, they do not have access to a broadband, nearly 300,000 students do not have internet access.The L.A. Board of Supervisors announced the WiFi Finder; a tool co-created by the 2-1-1 and LA County, equips L.A. County residents with a “one-stop approach to getting access.”

COVID-19 Local

Stores Not Adhering to COVID-19 Health Officer Orders Over the Weekend; 162 out of 410 Were in Violation

Betti Halsell, Contributing WriterMay 11, 2020

Last weekend, Los Angeles slowly opened specific sectors of stores for the first time since March. Mother’s Day weekend embarked on new territory for the City of Los Angeles; as of May 8, thousands of businesses opened for curbside service. L.A. looked to their elected officials to guide the following steps into recovery. The effects will come to light in the following weeks. Monday, May 11 L.A. County shared their updated news surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, they clarified what future moves will be taken into economic recovery. Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer disclosed statistics surrounding the positive cases and COVID-19 related death rates within the Los Angeles region. The city is still far from uplifting all the Safer at Home Order directives, but public officials share their deliberations with the community about future steps in relaxing a few details in the Safer at Home Order.

COVID-19 Health Local

L.A. Board of Supervisors look to create “Action Plan” to Re-open local Economy; COVID-19 Death Rate Still Rising in African American Communities

Betti Halsell, Contributing WriterApril 27, 2020

The relationship with coronavirus death rates and race and ethnicity were disclosed. For the 865 people who passed away and the race information was collected 14% were African American, 18% were Asian, 1% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 37% were LatinX, 28% were white, and 1% identified who passed away, were from a different race or ethnicity. The disproportionate death rate within the African American and Asian communities were acknowledged. Through a pro-rated formula, the health department determined that African Americans have the highest COVID-19 related death rate than all other races. An in-depth study presented those who lived below the poverty line, had three times the rate of death from COVID-19.