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Morning Briefing: Pressure On Our ICUs And The 'Spirit Of California'
We wish the news was brighter and we believe that in the (hopefully) not so distant future it will be. But here's the deal: Yesterday was yet another day of escalating confirmed COVID-19 cases, rising hospitalizations and more deaths.
So it's no real surprise that the message from local leaders remained steady: Stay home. Stay safe.
There were also signs of progress and hope.
Gov. Gavin Newsom toured a Bay-area fuel cell plant that made a fast pivot to refurbishing critically needed ventilators. That's where 170 non-functioning ventilators that came out of the national stockpile had just been sent.
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They're quite literally working on those ventilators right now. And Monday they'll have those ventilators back into Los Angeles, all fixed. That's the spirit of California. That's the spirit of this moment. Take responsibility, take ownership and take it upon ourselves to meet this moment head on.
- Confirmed cases in the U.S. continued to grow throughout the day, hitting more than 120,000 by late Saturday night.
- Newsom had some eye-opening news about ICU hospitalizations more than doubling overnight to 410. He noted the numbers were still relatively low, but the percentage change was alarming.
- L.A. County reported 344 new confirmed cases, including six new COVID-19 related deaths. In all, there have now been more than 1,800 cases in the county with 22% of patients requiring hospitalization.
- After a marathon session Friday, L.A.'s City Council passed a round of emergency measures intended to add protections for renters and workers at large businesses struggling during the pandemic. They also passed new rules to protect grocery store workers and delivery drivers
- We also had the story (courtesy of our friends at CalMatters) looking at the state of science in the Golden State. While some labs have shifted gears to battle this new coronavirus, other researchers have had to walk away from critical work to shelter at home like their fellow Californians.
- In case you were wondering, we have some advice on how many swipes you can count on with your disinfectant wipes.
Here’s what we’re covering today:
- Josie Huang looks at reports of bullying of Asian American children and what is, and isn't, being done about it.
- We'll look at the question of whether the virus that causes COVID-19 can spread through the air — and why there's some disagreement on the answer.
- There's been another delay for in-person canvassing for the 2020 Census.
- Itxy Quintanilla got some pro-tips from rangers on what we can learn from mountain lions about social distancing.
- And, of course, we'll be on the lookout for new numbers and new press conferences.
And now, your moment of Zen:
A California poppy blooms last Spring in the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve.
Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images)
Help us cover your community:
- Got something you’ve always wanted to know about Southern California and the people who call it home? Is there an issue you want us to cover? Ask us anything.
- Have a tip about news on which we should dig deeper? Let us know.
The news cycle moves fast. Some stories don't pan out. Others get added. Consider this today's first draft.
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Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
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