Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
Villanueva: 'Here's A Message For The Board Of Supervisors'
In a press conference this morning, officials from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's department provided an update on coronavirus in local jails, including the announcement that an inmate has tested positive.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva also took advantage of the moment to send a "message [to] the Board of Supervisors" regarding their effort to remove him as the head of emergency operations during a crisis.
One inmate and four people working in the county jail system have tested positive for COVID-19. The inmate was housed at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility.
According to today's briefing, he was removed from the housing area on the morning of March 26, and has since been in isolation. His condition is stable.
No one who had contact with the inmate is currently experiencing symptoms. However, 190 inmates are in temporary quarantine, pending testing results.
Villanueva then turned the topic to the board's effort to make changes to emergency protocol:
Sponsored message
Here's a message for the Board of Supervisors. If the Board of Supervisors votes tomorrow to remove me as a director of emergency operations – actually, eliminate the position of Director of Emergency Operations, this will impact public safety and public health... If you're asking the public to stay home, cooperate with authorities, the same applies to the Board of Supervisors ... This is not meant to stoke any fears, but we have to be united in this fight, and not to be distracted by politics, because that has no place in this fight against this deadly disease.
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS:
- Your No-Panic Guide To Coronavirus In LA So Far
- Tracking The Spread Of COVID-19
- Have A Question? We Will Answer It
DON'T MISS ANY L.A. CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Get our daily newsletter for the latest on COVID-19 and other top local headlines.
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Support our free, independent journalism today. Donate now.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
