Morning Briefing: LA Extends Stay-At-Home Order Till July

A man rides his bicycle past a mural reading "Stay Home / Life Is Beautiful" during the coronavirus pandemic on April 3, 2020 in Los Angeles. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

()

Never miss a morning briefing, subscribe today to get our A.M. newsletter delivered to your inbox.

Barbara Ferrer, L.A. County’s public health director, made big news yesterday when she told the Board of Supervisors that the current stay-at-home order will extend until July.

It sounded grim, but in an interview with Nick Roman, who hosts our newsroom's "All Things Considered" afternoon show, Ferrer clarified her earlier statement. Between now and July, she said, the restrictions will be gradually lifted and changed.

The process will allow officials to keep “limitations on what opens [and] how it opens most safely for both workers and customers,” she said, adding that her comments were “never meant to suggest that the order, as it exists today, is in effect for the next three months.”

Keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A. today, and stay safe out there.

— Jessica P. Ogilvie

Coming Up Today, May 13

Josie Huang examines why the coronavirus infection rate is high for the Long Beach Asian community, which is predominantly Cambodian and lower-income.

Libby Denkmann follows the results of the special election in California's 25th district, where a competitive race to replace former Democratic representative Katie Hill is capturing national attention.

With school campuses closed to slow the spread of COVID-19, LAUSD has established a mental health hotline to help struggling students. But without face-to-face interaction with counselors or teachers, reports Carla Javier, effectively connecting with them has proven challenging.

Never miss an LAist story. Sign up for our daily newsletters.

The Past 24 Hours In LA

We're flattered, honored, and all the other good feelings right now, because we just won three regional Edward R. Murrow Awards.

L.A., California, The World: There are now 32,263 coronavirus cases and 1,570 deaths in L.A. County, and at least 69,346 cases and 2,779 deaths in California. Worldwide, there are more than 4.2 million cases and over 291,000 deaths. Los Angeles County's stay-at-home orders will continue, in some form, into the summer.

LAist Tracks The Local Economic Impact Of Coronavirus: In addition to taking lives, COVID-19 is devastating livelihoods. In a new special feature, LAist/KPCC’s data journalists retrace how we got here, examine how furloughs, layoffs, hiring freezes and pay cuts are hitting the workforce, and peer into government budgets to see how this pandemic is hitting the region’s economy.

Expanding Care And Testing: Hospitals are beginning to resume elective surgeries, and California pharmacies will be permitted to test for coronavirus. Scientists propose sampling raw sewage at wastewater treatment plants, as an early warning system of new coronavirus outbreaks. Local childhood immunization rates dropped more than 50% in April compared to the same time last year, and experts are encouraging parents to resume those vaccinations.

Money Matters: L.A. County officials will explore a pathway for renters and community groups to buy properties that are facing default.

California Schools: The 23-campus California State University system will conduct almost all of its classes online for the fall 2020 semester. California's community college system has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, alleging that a decision prohibiting undocumented students and others from receiving stimulus funds is arbitrary, unlawful, and unconstitutional.

Disturbing Conditions: A Congresswoman who toured the Terminal Island prison in San Pedro, where more than 700 people have tested positive for COVID-19, said what she saw and heard there was "disturbing." An L.A. judge has ruled against two juvenile justice advocacy organizations that were seeking the release of low-risk and medically fragile youth detainees. The LAPD released footage from body-worn cameras of an officer beating a seemingly compliant suspect in Boyle Heights.

L.A.’s Food Scene: When local restaurants reopen for dine-in seating, eating out will look totally different than it did in the Before Times.

Your Moment Of Zen

Digital Producer Gina Pollack captured this view from the Los Liones trail in Topanga Canyon. The views were amazing, she said, but parts of the trail were too narrow to keep the suggested 6-feet of social distance.

(Gina Pollack / LAist)

()

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.

DON'T MISS ANY L.A. CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Get our daily newsletters for the latest on COVID-19 and other top local headlines.

SUBSCRIBE
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy