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.
LA's Mayor Asks Why Our State (The Largest) Got The Fewest Small Business Loans, Urges People Care Of Their Mental Health
Mayor Eric Garcetti opened today's briefing by encouraging Angelenos not to get discouraged by the new COVID-19 confirmed case count (15,140 total). The spike, he said, is due to a backlog of 734 cases that were just cleared.
"I know some of you follow these numbers as religiously as me and might be worried about the last two days in which we've seen our first four digit increases," he noted, "but I want to reassure you that this is about testing capacity expanding."
The mayor encouraged everyone, even those experiencing mild symptoms, to get tested, saying that the county is now offering next-day appointments and has the capacity to test approximately 12,000 people per day.
Support for LAist comes from
MORE UPDATES FOR L.A. COUNTY:
- A total of 663 total deaths
- 34 testing locations
- By the end of today county officials will have tested approximately 87,000 people. "To put this in perspective, 9,600 tests were reportedly conducted in all of California yesterday," Garcetti added.
- This is the second day of pop-up testing on Skid Row and three mobile teams are now working in senior care facilities
LOCAL ECONOMY UPDATES
- Tomorrow, the City council will create legislation that will create a worker retention ordinance for hospitality workers, including janitors, food service and airport workers, that will allow them to return to their jobs. "I will sign that as soon as it comes to my desk," he said. Details were not specified.
- Garcetti expressed frustration that as the largest state in the country, California received "the fewest number of [small business] loans in the nation." That accounts for 13% of our national workforce, he said, adding that he supports our senators for increasing aid to small businesses from Washington.
- Garcetti also voiced concern for folks in immigrant communities who have been left behind by recent loans and stimulus checks. "We need to make sure nobody is left behind when it comes to immigration," he said. "Immigrants are not a threat to America. COVID-19 is. Let me be very loud and clear." That last point is a direct reference to President Trump's tweet about the need to shut down all immigration to protect American jobs.
ADDITIONAL INFO
- Parents should visit the county's resource page for financial assistance, free internet services, educational programs and food benefits.
- Tonight, Garcetti will air a discussion on public health in L.A. designed for kids. Tune in via the mayor's Facebook page and on KCET at 6:30 p.m.
MENTAL HEALTH TIPS
Garcetti introduced Michelle Cauley, a local therapist and clinical social worker, to present some tips on coping.
- A lot of us are experiencing anticipatory anxiety right now because we're uncertain about the future, for example wondering about plans for the summer or thinking about graduation or prom (for high schoolers)
- Some tips on how to recognize depression in children: signs of sadless, hopelessness, irritability, low energy, increased boredom, poor concentration
- Tips on how to recognize anxiety in adults: panic attacks that feel like cardiac arrest, headaches, tension, upset stomach, fatigue, insomnia, extreme and unrealistic worry about events
- Cauley urged anyone experiencing these symptoms to talk about it, write about their feelings, and reach out to a mental health professoinal if they are able to
- She also recommends mindfullness meditation, journaling positive affirmations, and expressing gratitude
- The County's Department of Mental Health has a 24-hour help line at 800-854-7771
- LAUSD also has a help line, open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. That number is 213-241-3840
- Anyone can text the Crisis Text Line at 7417
"I know that the isolation is real. But whatever you're feeling know that you're not alone," Garcetti said. "We're all feeling this together. And when I say that we will get through this together."
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Support for LAist comes from
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
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
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist