Earlier this month, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that California was the first state in the nation to secure Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding to place unsheltered people in hotel rooms at no cost to them. The state’s action is providing safe isolation for tens of thousands of homeless Californians during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are all in this together,” said Gov. Newsom. “We will continue to support older Californians who are more at risk during this public health emergency.”
Inner City Education Foundation (ICEF) Public Schools now offer free meals to children seven-days-a-week.
Wednesday, April 29. The Los Angeles City Mayor reported the latest news surrounding the coronavirus outbreak. The elected official acknowledged the rise in sexual violence on Denim Day; associated with that movement was the acknowledgement of growth within domestic violence cases. People are staying indoors and since then, there has been a rise in the act of domestic violence within the city. Mayor Garcetti shared the data surrounding the COVID-19 virus within the Los Angeles region. Eric Garcetti acknowledged this preexisting inequality that haunts underserved communities. These discrepancies have led to higher death rates within particular minority groups. The response presented is that the County of L.A. has ramped of testing capacity in high-density areas such as the Crenshaw Christian Center. However, the concern for future practices to close racial inequalities post pandemic continues to grow.
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.
Barbara Ferrer, Director of Public Health shared the latest updates on the COVID-19 Virus. Ferrer shared Wednesday, April 22. there were 66 additional deaths, 48 of these individuals were between the ages of 65 and over, 38 of them with underlining health conditions. 13 people were between the age of 41-65, and 9 individuals had preexisting health concerns. There were 2 victims between the age 18-40, both had underlining health issues. This brings the total COVID-19 related deaths in the L.A. County to 729. Barbara disclosed as of April 22. There are 1,318 new COVID-19 reports.
In a briefing with African American media on April 16, Karen Brown Wilson, executive director of California Black Media, brought together U.S. Congresswomen Karen Bass and Barbara Lee, Assemblymember Shirley Weber and Board of Equalization member Malia Cohen to outline the societal and budgetary concerns that they are advocating for on both the state and federal level.
Springtime is a season when thoughts turn toward warmer weather, new beginnings, and budding opportunities. Such is the case for freshman and transfer applicants to colleges and universities around the state and country, as both groups wait on that hoped-for letter of admission and consider which opportunity they will accept among the options they have been provided. California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), one of 23 campuses in the California State University system, has extended offers to its Fall 2020 class and is now awaiting students’ decisions to enroll. This admissions season, however, brings a mixed bag of feelings. Excitement
LT: What I am telling the African-American business owners in my community is that to look at their biggest competitors, people can’t buy those big name brands with the same ease, right now.
So this is the opportunity for online retailers to use Facebook Live and Instagram to promote their products and services.
Tuesday, April 21. Mayor Eric Garcetti provided an update on the COVID-19 pandemic surrounding the Los Angeles region. The L.A. City Mayor was joined by licensed therapist, Michelle Cauley to share news regarding the response to coronavirus. COVID-19 has played a major role in the increase of mental strain. Loss of jobs, death, isolation, and worry of what is to come has all contributed to the cases of stress that are escalating.
Monday, April 20. The Mayor of Los Angeles provided an update surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayor Eric Garcetti outlined city structures that were directly affected by coronavirus. From a fiscal perspective, L.A. is in its worst economic shape since the recession. Eric Garcetti put a budget in place to stabilize the city’s economy. Within the Annual State of the City Address, Eric Garcetti confirmed a second wave of the virus. The second wave will factor into decisions made around lifting the Stay at Home Order. Mayor Garcetti covered the CARES Corps. He stated it would help with testing, that focuses on contact tracing of the virus. The CARE Corps. Is looking to be a long-term solution for the current systematic disparities that Los Angeles is facing.
The COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t discriminate – people all over our country and world are being hospitalized, losing their jobs and health care, and fearing for the safety of their families. It impacts us all, and doesn’t care what your race, national origin, gender identity, income level, sexual orientation, or age is. Stopping this virus requires following the facts, providing critical resources to those who need them, and showing kindness to one another. We will not stop it by blaming the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.
As of April 16, data on race and ethnicity is complete for 66 percent of COVID-19 cases and 90 percent of deaths reported to the California Department of Public Health. As testing expands and our work to get more complete information by race and ethnicity advances, the distribution by race and ethnicity for cases may change. As information on race and ethnicity is becoming more complete on reported deaths, our data shows that African Americans/Blacks represent a disproportionately higher number of deaths compared to their representation in California’s population. Another group of heightened concern are Native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders, although the number of deaths in this population are small and therefore limits statistical comparison.
The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association announced today that they have reached agreement on the method for reducing player compensation in the event of a permanent cancellation of 2019-20 regular season or playoff games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this agreement, and in order to provide players with a more gradual salary reduction schedule, partial reductions of 25% will begin with the players’ twice-a-month payment due on May 15.
Thursday, April 16. The L.A. Board of Supervisors welcomed District attorney, Jackie Lacey to disclose information from the district attorney office surrounding the spread of COVID-19. The Director of public health provided updated statistics behind the pandemic that has affected every part of the L.A. City structure.