Morning Briefing: LA Stories In The Time Of Coronavirus

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In our Diary of L.A. series, we asked you – our readers, listeners and fellow Angelenos – to make a video telling us how the coronavirus pandemic has affected your life. Earlier this week, we heard from a Google employee who’s making puppets in her PJs (her daytime PJs, specifically) and a Bell High School teacher who’s conducting film and journalism classes from his front yard.

Most recently, we heard from Oak Park resident Joel Goldes. Filming his video diary from beside a creek near his house, Goldes says he’s been trapping invasive crayfish that throw off the area’s ecosystem for years.

“[Crayfish] eat Pacific tree frogs, which are a native species here... and they also eat another native species here called the Arroyo chub fish. Those fish eat mosquito larvae, so they're very useful for the area.”

Since the stay-at-home order, he’s had more time to spend by the water, dogs in tow.

So what do a Google employee, crayfish trapper and journalism teacher have in common? Like all of us, their lives have been completely upended by the pandemic. And we’re all learning how to adapt, day by day, minute by minute.

We’d love to hear your story, too. In the meantime, keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A. today, and stay safe out there.

— Jessica P. Ogilvie

Coming Up Today, May 8

In the latest entry of our Diary of L.A. in the Time of Coronavirus, we hear what it's like to actually have COVID-19.

AirTalk's regular Filmweek critics share their picks for what to stream at home while theaters are closed.

Filipino/Filipina health care providers make up a large share of the industry’s workforce. Josie Huang looks into how they’re faring, including one nurse who barely survived an infection (and fared better than a peer, who died) and explains why there's long been a nursing school pipeline from the Philippines to the U.S.

On Mother's Day, in the time of social distancing, many of our moms and tias are celebrating their mastery of the internet. Or not. Mis Angeles columnist Erick Galindo shares his first-generation mom's hits and misses as she embraces the virtual world.

Caroline Champlin reports on new data that confirms what some experts predicted would happen as the coronavirus progressed: Low-income communities and communities of color are suffering the most.

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The Past 24 Hours In LA

L.A., California, The World: There are now at least 29,427 coronavirus cases and 1,367 deaths in L.A. County. There are at least 60,635 cases and 2,462 deaths in California. Worldwide, there are over 3.8 million cases and more than 269,000 deaths.

Reopening California: L.A. County is easing into the second stage of its five-stage plan for reopening. Gov. Newsom explained which businesses can reopen today, and how some local areas can move further into Phase 2. O.C. beaches are now allowed to open for active use only, but each beach has its own rules. California restaurant owners think their reopening should include servers with face masks, hand sanitizer instead of salt and pepper and no shared bread baskets.

Money Matters: California’s deficit is higher than it was during the Great Recession, and obliterates the state's once-healthy reserves. Some actors say residual checks from their past work are now coming back to haunt them as they seek unemployment benefits.

L.A.’s Unhoused: Some activists wonder if a government-run homeless camp set up at the beginning of the pandemic, which includes three meals a day, port-a-potties, around the clock security and nurse practitioners on site, could be a model for the future.

Holding Power Accountable: The Civilian Oversight Commission has subpoenaed L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva to testify about his efforts to protect jail inmates from COVID-19.

California Babies: A scientific review of "tummy time" confirms that giving babies time to play on their stomachs increases gross motor development and helps them reach developmental milestones.

Couch-tertainment: We created a virtual theme park that includes 17 ride-through videos. It's Mother's Day on Sunday and we found a virtual wine tasting, a comedy show and cooking lessons that might make good safe-distancing gifts.

Your L.A. Stories: In the latest entry in our Diary of L.A. in the Time of Coronavirus, Ventura County resident Joel Goldes says he's removed more than 72,000 invasive crayfish from a creek in Oak Park, and the pandemic hasn't slowed his roll.

Your Moment Of Zen

Mariachi bands are among the many artists whose work has been impacted by COVID-19. We're glad to see Mariachi Teocuitatlan performing here during a socially distant Cinco de Mayo party, on a beautiful day in Westlake Village.

(Photo by Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images)

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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.

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