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.
All LA City Workers Must Be Vaccinated For COVID By Oct. 15. LAPD Is Currently At 52% With At Least One Shot
Los Angeles City Hall
(
Chava Sanchez for LAist
)
The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Wednesday that requires COVID-19 vaccinations for all city employees and contractors.
Two council members — Marqueece Harris-Dawson and John Lee — were absent and did not vote. The ordinance will only allow exceptions for city employees with certain health conditions that prevent them from safely getting the vaccine, or those who hold genuine religious beliefs against vaccination.
Those requests would be handled on a case-by-case basis. Workers who don't qualify for those exemptions must get their first shot by Sept. 7, and a second dose by Oct. 5.
Those who opt for the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine also have until Oct. 5 to comply. Any city employees who miss those deadlines or fail to finish the vaccination process won't be eligible for promotions or transfers.
Support for LAist comes from
The mandate also applies to L.A. city firefighters and police. As of July 21, a little over 52% of LAPD officers had received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine.
The question of both masks and vaccinations for police came up Wednesday in a conversation with LAPD Chief Michel Moore on our newsroom's public affairs show, AirTalk, which airs on 89.3 KPCC.
Although LAPD officers are required to wear face coverings in public and in the workplace, no matter their vaccination status, there have been a number of reports of officers not wearing masks. Moore acknowledged the problem.
"I know that there's members of the public that are disappointed in the organization, that believe that we're not enforcing this," he said, "and I can only assure you that we're doing our very best to do that."
Moore said as recently as Wednesday morning he saw video of officers who weren't wearing masks. He said he ordered "corrective action to be taken regarding that failure," although he didn't provide further details. Moore added there are instances where it's not practical for an officer to wear a mask.
The LAPD has reported thousands of positive COVID cases in sworn officers and staff. Ten members of the department have died and Moore said four officers are currently hospitalized, with one in grave condition.
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
-
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority.
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline.
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist