Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Mayor Garcetti's Message To LA: Don't Panic
File: Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti shows a Memorandum with COVID-19 city department guidelines on Thursday, March 12. (Damian Dovarganes/AP)
()
With empty store shelves, long lines and general anxiety all around, we reached out to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to get his perspective on what we should, and should not, be worried about.
His advice: don't panic and focus on social distancing.
"We're all first responders — we have a role in saving people's lives by the actions we take in these next couple weeks," Garcetti said.
Support for LAist comes from
FOOD & TOILET PAPER & WATER
There will be plenty of food available not just for days but for months ahead, Garcetti said, citing a meeting with the California Grocers Association. There is no need to panic-buy food, he added.
And he urged everyone to keep in mind that purchasing is not expected to continue at this level. He said stores will continue to have regular deliveries daily. But he did note that there will be some momentary shortages.
"I know everybody's fixation on toilet paper right now," Garcetti said. "There's no way that we could be buying at this pace for days, upon days, upon days, upon weeks — and even so, each day, they will replenish them."
Water that comes from your tap is actually cleaner than that from bottled water on average, according to Garcetti, so residents shouldn't worry about bottled water either.
HOSPITALS
If hospitals end up becoming overwhelmed, Garcetti said, the city is preparing other spaces. These include rec centers and the city convention center. One silver lining of the cancellation of large gatherings: there's a lot of availability.
Support for LAist comes from
But Garcetti asked residents to help keep hospitals from becoming overwhelmed. If you're not in a vulnerable group and you don't have trouble breathing, Garcetti said that people should stay home, even if you're exhibiting symptoms of coronavirus.
CHECK YOUR SOURCES
Garcetti warned of inaccurate information spreading from sources like robo-calls, adding that people should rely on official sources and double-check official websites of the city, the county, and school districts. [We like to think we're doing a pretty good job here on the web at LAist.com and on the air at 89.3 KPCC] He also said to beware of fraud, with people trying to take advantage of the current situation.
HELPING THE HOMELESS
The mayor also said that the city has been working with L.A. County and the L.A. Homeless Services Authority to prepare to protect the homeless at this time.
So far, 250 cleaning centers and hand-sanitizing stations have been put up for the homeless, according to Garcetti, with people working this weekend to do more. County doctors and supplemental medical professionals from UCLA and USC are also helping to identify homeless people with vulnerabilities that would make them the most vulnerable to contracting and potentially dying from COVID-19.
As announced previously, the city will continue to not cut off utilities at this time, according to Garcetti.
Support for LAist comes from
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist