With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Workers At LAX Feel Underprepared To Deal With Coronavirus
Passengers arrive last week at LAX wearing face masks. (Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images)
Amid growing fears about the spread and impact of coronavirus, some workers at Los Angeles International Airport are saying they don't have adequate training or equipment to protect themselves.
Airport employees today passed out protective equipment and information to other workers. They also announced a contagious disease training will be done next week.
Maria Romero works at the airport. She said she wants to see airport or health officials talking to staff about best practices to avoid spreading the virusL
"We want to know, like, do we continue to help people? We should help people, of course, but do we have a distance?"
Sponsored message
"I remember when we had the Ebola [outbreak], our union took us to a special training," she said.
The airport says it is doing frequent, deep cleaning, providing gloves to cleaning crews and updating staff on the airport's COVID-19 response, according to a statement released Friday. That's in addition to the signs and hand-sanitizing stations.
As of Friday, two screeners who check passengers arriving at LAX for signs of coronavirus have tested positive for the illness.
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS:
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
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.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
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.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
