If you have been in or around Inglewood lately you’ve probably noticed advertisements everywhere for and against Measure HC – a ballot measure that would raise the healthcare worker minimum wage to $25 per hour.
Inglewood residents have long supported healthcare workers. The community values our frontline caregivers, especially after seeing their dedication and bravery throughout the pandemic.
The pandemic put into light how critical our healthcare workers are in our local communities. These frontline workers should be adequately compensated for their heroic efforts, not just during the pandemic, but every day. This is why the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce is urging a No on Inglewood’s Measure HC this November. The measure purports to benefit health care workers via a mandatory wage increase. In truth, the measure actually excludes workers at 73% of health care facilities in the city, including thousands of workers at Inglewood’s community clinics, public hospitals, nursing homes, urgent care centers,
Congresswoman Maxine Waters recently announced her support of the City of Inglewood Measure HC—Fair Wages for Healthcare Workers. She urged voters to vote “Yes” on the measure on or by November 8.
COVID-19 cases have decreased nationally among healthcare workers from 257 at the beginning of October to 166 towards the end of the month. Out of the more recent cases, 78 cases were reported among vaccinated healthcare workers and 88 among unvaccinated workers.
As vaccinations continue, COVID-19 infection rates drop, but health officials are still concentrating on hard hit communities.
Avoiding holiday celebrations with those outside the household helps slow COVID-19.
COVID-19 cases continue to decline but the public is still being asked to remain vigilant and responsible.
At the end of the MLK holiday and Presidential Inauguration, some good news was waiting as the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has seen a decrease in COVID-19 positivity. At the end of last week, there was a decrease by 30 percent in a seven-day average of daily cases. Despite this, public health officials are still urging the public to continue with proactive measures: wear a face covering and maintain physical distance when venturing outside the house.
As of Monday, January 11, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed 137 new deaths and new cases 12,617 of COVID-19. There were 7,910 people with COVID-19 hospitalized with 22% of these people in the ICU. According to the L.A. County Dept. of Public Health, statistics show that L.A County has gone from an average of 791 people hospitalized two months ago to about 8,000 patients, an increase of 1,000%.
Health officials have stated January may be the worst we’ve seen of the pandemic.
As we edge out of the holiday season and into a new year, Los Angeles County is still riding the COVID-19 surge and health officials are still calling for the public to do its part. Health officials have stated we may see another surge in a few weeks if the public disregarded safety protocols during the Christmas holiday.
Public health officials urge everyone to stay home for Christmas as a second vaccine comes to battle COVID-19.
As the COVID-19 vaccine is distributed to specific locations, the surge continues to rise with a rising number of healthcare workers getting infected.