Morning Briefing: Coronavirus In LA, Port Workers, OC Sheriff Scandal And More

Closures, cancellations and new precautions due to coronavirus concerns are happening almost faster than we can keep up. In case you missed it, the World Health Organization said yesterday it's now officially a pandemic.

Because of the volume and speed of the news, we’re adding a new section here that’s dedicated solely to our COVID-19 coverage. We hope you check it out. But if you want a brief respite from pandemics (totally understandable), please take a look at what else we’re…

Covering Today:

• Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes recently gave his administration's first monthly news conference, addressing the evidence booking scandal that's been unfolding at his department. Pablo Cabrera brings us the details.
• We're paying attention to the food of Portugal (which happens too rarely, in our opinion) and bringing you seven great variations of pao doce in Southern California.
• Our picks for events tonight include a Pussy Riot show in OC, a documentary about the plastic pollution crisis and a performance of French chansons by the Grammy Award winner, Julia Migenes. [And yes, we'll watch to see if any get canceled.]

CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL SECTION

What We Know:

• Here’s our no-panic coronavirus overview: We bring you the basics on what it is, how it spreads and what you need to know about how it’s affected L.A.
• Gov. Gavin Newsom is calling for public gatherings of more than 250 people to be canceled or postponed.
• The first coronavirus death in L.A. County was reported Wednesday.
• This is how L.A. Metro is dealing with the virus.
• Local colleges and universities are largely moving to online learning for the time being.
• A Q&A: Can coronavirus be transmitted on paper, coins or mail?
• Your gym poses no more (or less) risk than any other crowded space.
• March Madness will be closed to fans, including the two games planned for the Staples Center.
• Health care advocates are encouraging immigrants not to avoid the doctor if they believe they may have contracted the virus.
• You ask, we answer: Send us your questions

What We're Following:

• Port workers are seeing much less work due to coronavirus economic slowdown. David Wagner compares two types of workers and how they're affected differently.
• Groups doing census outreach to Asian American communities were relying heavily on events to get the word out, reports Caroline Champlin. Now that events are getting canceled, they're losing some chances for outreach.
• Josie Huang looks into how coronavirus is affecting L.A.'s low-wage, typically immigrant food workers who don't get paid time off. And, how does their predicament affect food safety?

DON'T MISS ANY L.A. CORONAVIRUS NEWS
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In Case You Missed It:

• Yingjie Wang offers more insight into her incredible investigation into the overcrowded, unsanitary, and potentially deadly conditions faced by some Chinese immigrants in the San Gabriel Valley.
• Disney is unveiling Avengers Campus, their new Marvel-themed land at California Adventure.
• Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison.

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.