Morning Briefing: The Autry Museum Wants Your COVID-19 Artifacts

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The objects we’re using during the pandemic mark the major change we’re experiencing collectively – the face masks, the hand sanitizer, the technology necessary for endless streams of video calls, chats and TV shows. To memorialize this time in history, the Autry Museum of the American West is collecting, cataloguing and preserving those objects.

Speaking to A Martínez, curator Tyree Boyd-Pates said the museum is undertaking the project “so that when the appropriate time comes, we can curate exhibitions or digital content that really captures this moment.”

One standout submission, said Boyd-Pates, was from a woman who used her bullet journal throughout a coronavirus-related hospital stay.

"Fortunately, I can say she has recovered,” said Boyd-Pates. “And she has been able to share her story with the Autry."

Keep reading for more on what’s going on in L.A., and stay safe.

— Jessica P. Ogilvie

Coming Up Today, May 6

Marina Peña talks to an ICU nurse in Torrance who talks about seeing patients die alone, FaceTiming their relatives, her fear of infecting her two young kids and how her hospital has operated throughout the pandemic.

Jackie Fortiér examines L.A. County’s strategic plan for testing all residents and staff of nursing homes.

Cal State University and auxiliary organizations estimate a total of $337 million in new costs and revenue losses for the 2020 spring term as a result of the coronavirus crisis, reports Adolfo Guzman-Lopez.

Negotiating life in “bubbles” with our roommates, partners, co-parents and more is likely going to continue for a while. Marriage and family therapist Lance Tango and family law mediator Bill Ferguson will answer your questions along with reporter Ariel Zirulnick, during the next installment of our No-Panic Guide Live virtual event series on Wednesday May 6th at 2.30pm. You can get more info at KPCC.org/inperson.

Jacob Margolis speaks to local fishermen who harvest sea urchins in Santa Barbara. With high-end restaurants shut down, they’ve been forced to adjust to a new reality.

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The Past 24 Hours In LA

L.A., California, The World: There are now at least 27,815 coronavirus cases and 1,313 deaths in L.A. County. There are at least 58,303 cases and 2,364 deaths in California. Worldwide, there are over 3.6 million cases and more than 256,000 deaths. The death toll at institutional facilities in L.A. County — particularly at nursing homes — continues to climb.

Money Matters: The Walt Disney Co. produced a terrifying tale on Tuesday, when it released its pandemic-plagued earnings. Santa Monica City Council is expected to vote Tuesday on a budget plan that proposes to cut $86.2 million from its staffing, city programs and services.

LAPD: An LAPD Officer is under investigation after allegedly punching a trespassing suspect over a dozen times.

Stories Of The Times: The Autry Museum of the American West is working to collect and catalogue items of historical and cultural significance during the COVID-19 pandemic. And speaking of which, KPCC/LAist has received more than a dozen stories about what it's like to live in Los Angeles during a pandemic, and we’d love to hear yours.

Reopening California: Florists, bookstores and clothing shops may be able to re-open for pick up as soon as Friday under the governor's new guidelines, although L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti said the city will likely not open as quickly as that (although the flower district will reopen before Mother’s Day). Some L.A. business owners say opening up with social distancing restrictions won't help them. Meanwhile, all schools in the nine-campus Los Angeles Community College District and Santa Monica College will continue with online learning for the fall semester.

The 2020 Vote: Vote centers opened this weekend in the 25th congressional district special election, which will determine who fills Katie Hill's seat. Most voters will be mailing in their ballots because of the pandemic, but one campaign says the lack of in-person voting options in the city of Lancaster is disenfranchising African American voters.

Uber, Lyft And The Law: The state of California announced Tuesday that it’s suing Uber and Lyft, alleging that by treating drivers as independent contractors, the companies are violating a state law.

Your Moment Of Zen

Staying optimistic – but realistic – is about all we can do.

(FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

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