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Right now, we need your help during our short June member drive to keep the local news you read here every day going. This has been a challenging year, but with your help, we can get one step closer to closing our budget gap. Today, put a dollar value on the trustworthy reporting you rely on all year long. We can't hold those in power accountable and uplift voices from the community without your partnership.
A street art mural by artist Pony Wave on Venice Beach (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
One important way we can all combat fear is to be prepared and knowledgeable. That's what we are here to help you do. So here's our promise -- we will:
Do our best to bring you the most recent and accurate information
Explain what's happened -- and what happening --in clear language (but let us know if we are falling short)
Continue to update this comprehensive guide as new information becomes available
THE TIMELINE
On January 30, a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" was declared by the World Health Organization over an outbreak of a new, deadly, novel coronavirus which began in Wuhan City, China.
On March 19, California, the nation's most populous state, ordered its nearly 40 million residents to stay home and practice social distancing (there are exceptions).
The map below also shows cumulative confirmed cases, deaths, and recoveries. It's updated in near real-time throughout the day. Zoom out to see more of the world.
L.A. County followed with a similar list of actions, closures, and restrictions the following day, including strongly discouraging gatherings of more than 50 people.
The "Safer at Home" emergency order was issued by L.A. County and city leaders on March 19. It includes the following directives:
Residents should remain at home.
Do not gather in enclosed spaces with more than 10 people.
Close all non-critical businesses (that can't operate remotely) until further notice.
"I want to be clear about this," said L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti during the announcement, "that the only time you should leave your home is for essential activities and needs -- to get food, care for a relative or a friend or child, get necessary health care," and the like. Jobs that are critical to safety, health, and the security of city, as well as an "economy of recovery," are exempt. Examples Garcetti cited:
Emergency personnel
First responders
Government employees
Medical personnel
Vital infrastructure workers
Health care providers
Transportation services
Grocery stores
Restaurants (but for take-out or delivery only)
News outlets
Hardware stores
Gas stations
Banks and financial institutions
Plumbers, electricians
Dry cleaners and laundromats
But social distancing must be enforced in all of these cases. You are allowed to go outside, take a walk, and enjoy an open space. But some outdoor areas are off-limits because of crowding. And even in outside, you are required to stay 6 feet away from people.
On March 27, Garcetti tonight used what may have been his strongest language yet to urge people to heed his stay-at-home orders.
"These aren't suggestions, I remind you, these are orders. We are in the midst of a pandemic," Garcetti said.
The city punctuated that message with a piercing emergency alert sent moments after his nightly address reminding people to keep staying at home, and to only go out for essential activities. L.A. County sent an alert as well.
Meanwhile, L.A. County public health officials said it was "a critical week" in determining whether the local spread of COVID-19 would start "skyrocketing." The county's public health director, Barbara Ferrer, urged residents to stay indoors, saying "this would be the week to skip shopping altogether" if you already have enough supplies in your home.
WHAT'S THE WORD FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA? On March 15, Gov. Gavin Newsom called for far stricter guidelines in the state. He asked all seniors and people with underlying conditions to isolate at home, restaurants to operate at diminished capacity, and wineries, bars, and brewpubs to close.
On March 19, about an hour after the L.A. County orders were announced, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered all residents of California to stay home or otherwise remain at their place of residence in order to slow the spread of the virus. There are exceptions for people who maintain critical infrastructure in 16 key sectors, including:
WHAT'S THE WORD FROM THE WHITE HOUSE? Note: President Trump usually opens coronavirus news briefings with his own remarks. His comments in a number of past briefings have later been contradicted by information provided by other officials. He has also repeatedly used stigmatizing language to describe COVID-19. Following the president's remarks, health experts and other adminstration leaders provide additional updates.
Voluntary, nationwide guidelines were announced on March 16, initially set to last for 15 days.
President Trump and the White House coronavirus task force asked Americans to close schools, avoid groups of more than 10 people, homeschool kids where possible, avoid discretionary travel, and refrain from visiting bars, restaurants, and food courts.
Meanwhile, a Level 4, "Do Not Travel" global health advisory was issued by the U.S. State Department advising all citizens to "avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19."
At a March 23 briefing, Trump said the REAL ID deadline will be postponed and that surgical and N95 masks would be distributed by FEMA. An executive order was also announced by Attorney General William Barr making certain items illegal to hoard.
On March 27, Trump announced at a briefing that he invoked the Defense Production Act, "to compel General Motors to accept, perform and prioritize federal contracts for ventilators." He put it differently on Twitter that day.
The task force said on March 31 that Americans should brace for 100,000 or more people to die in the coming months in the pandemic. Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx renewed pleas to observe precautions. Birx said she's "reassured" by what L.A. has accomplished with social distancing in terms of how other cities might be able to respond as well.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said eligible taxpayers could receive stimulus payments within two weeks (others have said some checks could take months).
A CDC illustration. (Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAM)
SARS-CoV-2 is in the family of coronavirus pathogens that usually cause short-lived illnesses.
They get their name because of how they look, which is spiny around the edges, like a crown. And some coronaviruses are scarier than others. Scientists are still trying to figure out how dangerous this new (or "novel") coronavirus is.
"Most people get infected with these viruses at some point in their lives," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Symptoms may include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, runny nose, and headache. But they can vary in severity. Thousands of people have died, but "other patients have had milder illness and been discharged," the CDC said.
This photo from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a microscopic view of a coronavirus. (CDC/Getty Images)
Coronaviruses generally jump from person to person on the droplets from coughs and sneezes.
The CDC's current best guess is that the incubation period for novel coronavirus -- that's the time from exposure to when symptoms first start showing up -- is somewhere between two and 14 days.
Another question is viral load, or the amount of the virus in your system. It's still unclear whether viral load can affect your chances of getting sick, and recent studies suggest that it could affect the severity of your illness, Ferrer said.
IS THIS CORONAVIRUS LIKE SARS OR MERS? MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) and SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) are two members of the coronavirus family that tend to make people sicker. "About 3 or 4 out of every 10 patients reported with MERS have died," according to the CDC. And SARS was responsible for a global outbreak in 2002-2003 that killed 774 people.
"The novel coronavirus is more genetically related to SARS than MERS," said Dr. Nancy Messonnier.
But scientists don't know yet if novel coronavirus will act the same way as SARS or MERS; they're using information from both pathogens to guide their research.
WHAT DO I DO IF I THINK I MIGHT HAVE IT? If you think you might have been exposed, or have COVID-19 symptoms, call your doctor for next steps. If you experience severe symptoms, get immediate medical attention.
If you are caring for someone with COVID-19 at home, here are some things to keep in mind. These tips come from UCLA's Dr. Robert Kim-Farley with the Fielding School of Public Health (and a former staffer with the CDC):
Make sure they wear a mask
Make sure you wear a mask
Monitor for trouble breathing
Monitor for persistent chest pain or pressure
Call their healthcare provider if symptoms become more severe (especially if they're elderly or have pre-existing conditions).
Clean surfaces frequently
Try to keep the patient in one bedroom, and ideally one bathroom
IF I HAD CORONAVIRUS CAN I GET IT AGAIN? Barbara Ferrer, director of the L.A. County Department of Public Health, told us: "We don't have conclusive evidence on that."
She said that "in general you can be protected when you've had an infection, but not always. We're just going to have to wait for the researchers and the scientists to let us know what they're finding out about that."
For treatment, at least one SoCal hospital is experimenting with transferring blood plasma. The hope is that antibodies from a recovered patient will attack the virus and help a sick person heal.
The president has promoted chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as a possible treatment. Quite a bit is known about the existing drugs, but what isn't known is if they're effective at treating the coronavirus.
The CDC's guidance for for clinical management includes, "infection prevention and control measures and supportive care, including supplementary oxygen and mechanical ventilatory support when indicated."
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN QUARANTINE, ISOLATION, AND SOCIAL DISTANCING All are actions designed to stop or slow down the spread of a contagious disease. Here's how they differ, according to the CDC and Harvard Health:
Quarantine: a separation for people who have a contagious disease, have symptoms consistent with a contagious disease, or were exposed to a contagious disease. A person's movements are restricted when they are quarantined
Isolation: a less restrictive separation that keeps people who are sick away from people who are not sick
Self-Isolation: a voluntary action to stay at home by people who are sick (or are likely to be sick) and are experiencing mild symptoms
Self-Quarantine: a voluntary action to stay at home by people who may have been exposed but are not experiencing symptoms
Social Distancing: keeping your distance from other people. The distance reduces the risk of breathing in droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or, in some cases, breathes. It can also mean cancelling events or gatherings (the term "physical distancing" means the same thing.)
HOW AND WHERE CAN I GET TESTED FOR CORONAVIRUS? Drive-thru testing sites (and one walk-in clinic) are open across L.A. County.
But you can't just show up.
If you have symptoms or think you've been exposed, call your doctor. You'll need "a provider directive to get tested," L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said.
Initially, the city/county tests were limited to people most at risk: 65 and older with symptoms, symptoms and underlying chronic conditions, and people under mandatory quarantine due to confirmed exposure.
But on April 6, the restrictions changed. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti said anyone could apply.
He said testing was not guaranteed, but anyone who wanted a test "in the city of Los Angeles or one of the other 87 cities or unincorporated areas of the county" could now apply online.
You'll be asked some questions on the eligibility form, and then you'll be asked for your contact information for next steps.
Also, state health officials are waiving all co-pays for COVID-19 testing, no matter which insurance plan you're on (and if you don't have health insurance, the window for enrolling is now extended to June 30).
But, testing or not, if you experience severe symptoms, get immediate medical attention.
IF I'M AN ASYMPTOMATIC CORONAVIRUS CARRIER, HOW LONG AM I CONTAGIOUS? You could be contagious for up to 14 days, according to Dr. Shruti Gohil, University of California Irvine Medical Center.
However, Gohil said, since asymptomatic carriers may not know when Day 1 was, it's "encouraging to know ... their ability to spread the disease is far less than those who are actively symptomatic."
SHOULD I BE WEARING A MASK IN DAILY LIFE? The first official guidance on general mask-wearing arrived on April 1.
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti made the recommendation that all residents wear face coverings whenever they're in public and interacting with others:
We are now recommending that Angelenos use homemade face coverings when they're in public and interacting with others.
To be clear, you should still stay at home, this isn't an excuse to suddenly all go out, you need to stay at home.
But when you have to go out, we are recommending that we use non medical grade masks.
He spelled out two categories of masks, and who should wear what:
Surgical masks: These are medical grade, like the N95, and they are reserved for medical professionals.
Homemade cloth masks: These are bandanas, scarves, hand-sewn masks and the like and should be worn by everyone else, including workers providing other essential services, such as those in food retail and vital infrastructure jobs.
Do "not take the ones that are reserved for our first responders," he said. "This could save, or cost, a doctor or nurse their life." On April 7, Garcetti changed the mask-wearking recommendation to a requirement: shoppers and store employees must wear a face mask starting April 10.
This applies to grocery stores, drug stores, restaurants, hotels, taxis, rideshare vehicles, construction sites, and other non-medical essential businesses.
WHICH DISINFECTANTS CAN I USE AGAINST SARS-CoV-2? The EPA released a list of products that are "qualified" for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Some Clorox and Lysol products are on the list, but so are dozens and dozens of others.
Here's what the EPA says about killing the virus:
"Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses, meaning they are one of the easiest types of viruses to kill with the appropriate disinfectant product. Consumers using these disinfectants on an enveloped emerging virus should follow the directions for use on the product's master label, paying close attention to the contact time for the product on the treated surface (i.e., how long the disinfectant should remain on the surface)."
As far as keeping your hands virus-free, the CDC says handwashing for at least 20 seconds is still your best bet. If that's not possible, it recommends using an "alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol."
IS IT SAFE TO TOUCH TAKEOUT & DELIVERY FOOD CONTAINERS? "There is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with food," according to the CDC, but the virus can live on surfaces.
To reduce risk, go contactless when getting meals delivered.
In whatever app you're using (or on the phone), ask your driver to leave your food outside your door. You might have to leave the message as a note.
Once you've brought it in, put the food on your own plates, throw out the packaging and wash your hands for 20 seconds before eating.
ARE FARMERS MARKETS ALLOWED TO OPERATE? Farmers markets were initially deemed "essential," and allowed to stay open.
But, like otheroutdoorspaces, there were crowds and questions about safety.
So, operations were suspended in the city of Los Angeles, and any market that wished to reopen was required to submit a social distancing plan for approval.
WHAT'S THE SAFEST WAY TO SHOP AT THE GROCERY STORE We made a guide with everything we know so far about COVID-19 and food (and what we don't know), including tips for minimizing risk at the grocery store:
1. Try to go at a less busy time. Generally, earlier is better, and weekdays seem to be less busy than weekends.
2. If you're a senior or in another high-risk group, take advantage of the "senior shopping hours" many stores have introduced.
3. Wear a mask if you have one. California is expected to issue some official guidance on mask-wearing soon.
4. Wear latex gloves if you have them, be careful about tearing, and avoid touching your face when they're on.
5. If you don't have gloves, use hand-sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. If you don't have either, use an plastic produce bag to touch certain items or produce.
6. Before you touch your cart, wipe it down with an antiseptic wipe.
7. While you're in the store, stay at least 6 feet away from other shoppers.
8. While you're in the store, touch as few things as possible.
Read our full food-related guide with sections on unpacking groceries, changing clothes, raw produce, and more. BACK TO TOP
All the orders require that you stay in your place of residence.
You are allowed to leave if your job, or the thing you need to do, is categorized as "essential." For example: picking up food is OK; planned vacations are not.
This is what "essential" means, according to the city, county, and state orders.
ARE ALL EVENTS CANCELED IN CALIFORNIA? Basically, yes. That's why we just struck through all this earlier guidance.
The goal is to slow the spread of COVID-19 by "flattening the curve" and not overwhelming the medical infrastructure.
The health care system is projected to be overwhelmed by coronavirus patients unless drastic measures are taken. Social distancing and isolation will slow its spread. Here is why that will save lives. pic.twitter.com/R1djQQdpYc
IS NATURE CLOSED? You are allowed to go outside, take a walk, and enjoy an open space. But some outdoor areas are off-limits because of crowding.
Even in nature, you are required to stay 6 feet away from people.
On March 22, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted that over the "weekend we saw too many people packing beaches, trails and parks. So we are closing sports and recreation at @LACityParks and closing parking at city beaches. That doesn't mean gather elsewhere. This is serious. Stay home and save lives."
On March 27, L.A. County fully shut down all public beaches, including bathrooms, piers, promenades, and bike paths, and L.A. city shut down all trails, including Griffith Park.
IS PUBLIC TRANSIT STILL OPERATIONAL? Public transit is still operational across L.A. County for people working essential jobs or seeking essential supplies. However most agencies have reduced service.
Also, for safety, Metro has moved to rear-door boarding for all its buses (riders who need wheelchair ramp access can still use the front door), and required the transparent barrier up front be closed as a layer of protection. At rail stations, custodial staff are disinfecting touch points.
And one small note for a small railway: Angels Flight has stopped carrying riders up and down Bunker Hill until further notice.
Elsewhere in municipal transit:
LADOT, which has waived fares on its bus routes, is requesting that passengers wear a face covering while riding. Rear-door boarding is in effect. Commuter Express and Community DASH bus lines are running "modified services." The DASH Observatory/Los Feliz route is now a Los Feliz-only line. The on-demand shuttle service LAnow has been suspended. The electric car-sharing service Blue LA, has also been suspended. Check for updates on schedules and service changes.
Foothill Transit is also not collecting fares right now and rear-door boarding is in effect. Service is reduced.
The Antelope Valley Transit Authority has cut maximum occupancy and a "reduced Saturday Schedule" is in effect Monday through Sunday. Several routes have been canceled.
Big Blue Bus in Santa Monica halted service on a few of its lines and moved to rear-door boarding. Weekday service on most bus routes has also changed "until further notice," the agency said. Check for updates on schedules and service changes.
Culver CityBus waived fares for riders and rear-door boarding is in effect. Certain bus lines are running Saturday service timelines during the week.
Both Pasadena Transit's buses and its on-demand shuttle service for seniors and people with disabilities remain in service, and the city has waived fares.
Bus services in the cities of Glendale and Burbank are operating as normal.
Bird, Lyft, and Jump said they've increased cleaning and disinfecting of their respective scooters and e-bikes. They're also encouraging riders to clean scooters and e-bike handles with disinfecting wipes before and after riding.
"We tend to come together as humans and work together and help each other," sociologist Joseph Trainor told us previously. During an earthquake, for example, it's much more likely you'd be rescued from a fallen building by a fellow victim than by an emergency response team, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva's take: "Buying guns is a bad idea." And "particularly, now that you have a lot of people home," he said during a news conference on March 16. "Cabin fever sets in. You've got a crowded environment. ... Weapons are not a good mix."
"This behavior is irresponsible and selfish," Garcetti said during a news briefing on March 24. "It may serve a few people for a moment, but it will put all of us at risk for a long time."
His message to non-compliant businesses: "This is your chance to step up and to shut it down, because if you don't, we will shut you down."
HOW DO I REPORT A NON-COMPLIANT BUSINESS, GATHERING, OR OTHER VIOLATION? To report non-essential businesses that have not closed, and/or order violations (like: social distancing, hand washing, disinfecting, sharing items, etc.) at exempt businesses and construction sites:
Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on March 27 that prohibits enforcement by law enforcement and courts.
If you can't pay all or some of your rent because of COVID-19, declare it in writing no more than seven days after rent is due, and save any related documentation about illness, termination, etc. Once lifted, repayment is due "in a timely manner."
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti said the city was expanding its eviction moratorium as well, which covers both commercial and residential units. Tenants will now have a full year to pay back any rent they can't afford to pay during the current pandemic.
L.A. County also has a countywide eviction moratorium in effect prohibiting residential and commercial evictions for nonpayment of rent, late fees, and related costs due to a loss of business or household income caused by COVID-19.
However, it may not be enough without rent forgiveness. Some experts and advocates say people won't be able to save the money needed for back rent, and that could lead to future evictions and homelessness.
CAN I GET HELP FOR MY SMALL BUSINESS? The City of Los Angeles's Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD) announced low- to no-interest loans, ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. The loans -- which will help anywhere from 550 - 2,200 qualifying businesses -- will be offered without interest for up to a year, or at 3-5% interest for up to five years. Here's how to apply.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BECAUSE OF CORONAVIRUS? You can file a claim with EDD due to cut hours, unpaid leave, termination, and other coronavirus-related reasons. There is now expanded access for many people who don't typically qualify for unemployment benefits.
A new wave of significant funding for the healthcare industry
Some of the specifics:
Checks will be sent to Americans in middle class and lower income levels. Despite promises from President Trump and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin that the funds will be distributed within "three weeks," it will likely be months before it hits anybody's bank accounts, according to experts.
More than $150 billion for the healthcare system, including funding for hospitals, research, treatment, and increasing supplies of ventilators, masks and other equipment.
$150 billion to state and local governments to address spending shortages related to the coronavirus pandemic.
CAN MY JOB ASK ME TO STAY HOME AND NOT PAY ME? If you've been asked to self-quarantine because you or a family member is sick, you should be entitled to use your sick time for at least part of it, though your employer cannot force you to do so.
HOW LOCAL HOSPITALS ARE RESPONDING Officials are urging people to stay at home, even when they're sick, unless they believe they need hospital-level care.
The Navy hospital ship Mercy arrived at the Port of Los Angeles, immediately adding one-third more hospital beds to city's current capacity. The goal of sending the Mercy is to decompress our hospital system and to make room for an expected surge of coronavirus patients.
Local hospitals prepared by running emergency triage drills, installing temporary tents and facilities, and re-training on the use of protective equipment
On March 23, Gov. Gavin Newsom said California needs 1 billion gloves, 595 million masks, and two million shields for three months of protection for health care workers.
On March 27, Newsom has said we need 50,000 additional hospital beds to handle the crisis. Plans call for 30,000 of those to come through the existing system while 20,000 are being procured by the state, including beds on the Mercy.
The state also said it was looking to tap more potential staff to deal with the expected surge in COVID-19 patients.
The state continues to look for hand sanitizer, testing reagents, and other supplies to help in the fight against coronavirus, Newsom said. So far, 2,300 individuals and companies have filled out applications on the state's site for contributing supplies.
WILL HOSPITALS ACCEPT HOMEMADE MASKS? It depends on the hospital, but more are starting to.
There's a list of U.S. facilities accepting donations, created by students at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, that includes a number of SoCal hospitals. The list has specifics about quantity, patterns, delivery instructions, and more.
"Go ahead and do it," the chief medical officer at Keck Hospital of USC told us. "If we need to use it, we'll use it."
None of the hospital officials we spoke with said their personnel have started using homemade masks, but they worried that day will come.
Casual stitchers and sew shops around L.A. have been responding to the need.
At Suay Sew Shop in Frogtown, the goal is to make and distribute 10,000 masks in a week -- and then continue that pace. A first-grade teacher we spoke to said that even if hospitals didn't want her homemade masks they could be used by pharmacy technicians, grocery employees, or delivery people.
The CDC has issued guidance on homemade masks, saying they can be used while treating patients as "a last resort," and ideally under a plastic face shield similar to what you'd see on a welder.
On March 13, Los Angeles Unified School District canceled all in-person classes, sending half a million kids home -- effective Monday, March 16 -- with coursework moved online.
LAUSD teachers received an email from Superintendent Austin Beutner saying the district would be closed for two weeks "while we evaluate the appropriate path forward."
So, what about summer school? Thurmond wasn't ready to talk about that at an April 1 briefing: "To be clear, we've not waged into a conversation about summer school because this year is not over. And while our campuses are closed, we want to be clear; school is still in session."
Schools are contacting students to distribute the devices, but parents who want to make a request can contact the district's hotline: (213) 443-1300. The request will be routed to the proper school.
HOW DO I ACCESS SERVICES THAT MY CHILD USED TO GET AT SCHOOL? Superintendent Austin Beutner said common special education services like physical, occupational, and speech therapies were being providing "via teleconferencing." Here is the district's FAQ on providing support.
And LAUSD also opened a hotline so "students and families can call for help to manage fear, anxiety and other challenges related to COVID-19." Counselors and mental health professionals will answer hotline calls in English and Spanish: (213) 241-3840.
HOW PRESCHOOLS AND DAY CARE PROVIDERS ARE RESPONDING Some preschools and day care centers are still open. The state did not order them to close, instead, that decision was left up to individual providers and municipalities.
L.A. County said it would allow it if kids are cared for in small groups that stay separated.
Guidelines were issued by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health for early care and education providers who continue to operate. They include:
No more "circle time"
Caring for kids in groups of 12 or less -- no new kids can be added to an existing group, and mixing between different groups is prohibited
Keeping groups in different rooms at larger facilities
Adult providers must stay with the same group of children
Practicing social distancing by restricting visitors to facilities
Spacing out children's activities and focusing on individual activities like coloring and puzzles
Also, by executive order, there is now state-funded child care for essential workers --health care professionals, emergency responders, law enforcement, and grocery employees.
WHAT ARE L.A. EMPLOYEES DOING TO FLATTEN THE CURVE? City and county leaders announced new rules for themselves at a press conference on March 12. Protocols include:
No more than 50 visitors in city buildings at a time
Events and conferences held on city property must have fewer than 50 people.
Non-essential travel by city and Los Angeles Sheriff's Department employees is canceled
City Hall is closed to all non-city employees
Hand-washing and sanitizing facilities will be available at all city properties
911 operators will screen callers about COVID-19 exposure to help reduce the risk to first responders
County Emergency Operations Center moved to Level 1 (which means it will be fully staffed with leaders and experts from every county department, as well as with outside experts)
On March 23, Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez announced the cancelation of in-person council meetings until officials can figure out how to hold them safely.
According to Garcetti's stay-at-home order, government employees "working within the course and scope of their public service employment" are exempt. They are instructed to "follow any current or future directives issued by the Mayor."
All of the city's first responders, gang and crisis intervention workers, public health workers, emergency management personnel, emergency dispatchers, law enforcement personnel, related contractors, and others employed with emergency services providers are also exempt.
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE COURTS? Los Angeles Superior Court Presiding Judge Kevin C. Brazile announced March 16 that the largest unified trial court system in the United States will shut down for three days due to the coronavirus. The Superior Court was already scaling back, but this is a full stop.
HOW ARE WE HELPING OUR HOMELESS NEIGHBORS? On March 18, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti activated an emergency power granted to him by the city charter in order to provide special assistance to the homeless population.
The power he cited is known as the Disaster Service Worker Program, a measure which gives the mayor the ability to redeploy any city employee to combat a crisis, including to house the homeless.
Garcetti laid out several steps the city will take to ramp up the opening of emergency shelters, including:
The city's Department of Transportation will deliver 6,000 beds at 42 recreation centers across L.A. (however, because cots need to be 6 feet apart, the combined capacity could end up closer to 2,000 beds)
Together with the Bridge shelter program, that means the city can bring in 7,000 unsheltered Angelenos, Garcetti said
Garcetti said the city will follow the social distancing guidelines required by public health officials, and not try to house more people in the shelters than they can contain. On March 22, the CDC weighed in on the practice of clearing of homeless encampments, or "sweeps." Its guidance is: don't -- unless individual housing units can be provided: "Clearing encampments can cause people to disperse throughout the community and break connections with service providers. This increases the potential for infectious disease spread."
On March 23, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that millions in emergency grants would be distributed to cities and counties for hotels to house the homeless.
"They are not sick when they go in. These are for people who are not experiencing symptoms, giving a place to shelter so they don't contract anything," said Heidi Marston, the interim director of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.
WHAT ELSE? SEND US MORE OF YOUR QUESTIONS. BACK TO TOP
Edited and skippered by Lisa Brenner. With contributions from Robert Garrova, Paul Glickman, Lisa Brenner, Megan Erwin, Brian Frank, Megan Garvey, Kyle Stokes, Adriene Hill, Mike Roe, Matt Tinoco, Stephanie Ritoper, Elly Yu, Libby Denkmann, Elina Shatkin, Ryan Fonseca, Jackie Fortier, Jacob Margolis, Josie Huang, Jessica Ogilvie, Emily Guerin, Stephan A. Slater, Carla Javier, and the entire KPCC/LAist newsroom.
This story has been updated dozens of times as news continues to break on this national emergency. It was originally published on January 28, 2020.
Fentanyl and other drugs fuel record deaths among people experiencing homelessness in L.A. County. From 2019 to 2021, deaths jumped 70% to more than 2,200 in a single year.
