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.
Morning Brief: ‘Please Help Us’
Clinicians work after manually proning a COVID-19 patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Sharp Grossmont Hospital on Dec. 14 in La Mesa. At the time, state ICU capacity was .5%. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
()
Good morning, L.A.
For health care workers in Southern California’s ICUs, the onslaught of pandemic patients is nonstop. On a call with our newsroom's local news and culture show, Lindsay Burrell, a nurse in the ICU at Torrance’s Providence Little Company Mary Medical Center, pleaded for Angelenos to adhere to coronavirus safety guidelines, just for a little longer:
"This is my plea to the public … stay home. I know you're tired. Trust me, I know … but if we don't start complying, our hospitals are not going to be able to meet the demands of what the public is giving us. We simply cannot.
I'm exhausted, too. But we as healthcare providers, we're feeling this. We're putting on PPE day in and day out, you know, we're hot, we're tired. We're not drinking water. We're not really even eating normally, throughout a normal day. We're exhausted.
Support for LAist comes from
Please, just do your part. Please. This is what is recommended and we just, for a temporary moment in time, need to comply ... Please help us. We're begging at this point."
Burrell’s appeal comes at a time when ICUs in the region are completely full, the rate of infection is breaking records almost daily, and our local public health director had to fight back tears while talking about the virus’ death toll.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel, but it’s up to us how dark things get before then.
Keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A. today, and stay safe out there.
What You Need To Know Today
L.A.’s Coronavirus Crisis: County health officials reported over 11,000 new cases of coronavirus and 56 new deaths, as the total number of deaths in the region approaches 9,000. L.A. hospitals are being stretched so thin that we could be looking at rationed care in the not-too-distant future. Record levels of coronavirus cases in L.A. County are trickling down to child care facilities.
Support for LAist comes from
Local Lockdown: Right now, 98% of California is under a stay-at-home order that will likely be extended past its current expiration date of Dec. 30. It’s safe to go grocery shopping, but be fast and efficient — and of course, wear a mask and practice social distancing.
Money Matters: Congress’ $900 billion COVID-19 relief package includes direct payments to many Americans, a federal boost to weekly unemployment checks, and assistance for small businesses and schools — but no financial help for struggling local governments, including L.A.
California Dreaming: With the door open to apply for DACA for the first time in more than three years, hundreds of high school and college students are rushing to submit their paperwork.
Here’s What To Do: Attend a solstice livestream, check out Christmas movies at the drive-in, enjoy some holiday cocktails, and more in this week’s best online events.
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, and check LAist.com for updates on these stories and more. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Support for LAist comes from
Never miss an LAist story. Sign up for our daily newsletters.
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
-
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.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist