With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Villanueva: 'Here's A Message For The Board Of Supervisors'
In a press conference this morning, officials from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's department provided an update on coronavirus in local jails, including the announcement that an inmate has tested positive.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva also took advantage of the moment to send a "message [to] the Board of Supervisors" regarding their effort to remove him as the head of emergency operations during a crisis.
One inmate and four people working in the county jail system have tested positive for COVID-19. The inmate was housed at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility.
Sponsored message
According to today's briefing, he was removed from the housing area on the morning of March 26, and has since been in isolation. His condition is stable.
No one who had contact with the inmate is currently experiencing symptoms. However, 190 inmates are in temporary quarantine, pending testing results.
Villanueva then turned the topic to the board's effort to make changes to emergency protocol:
Here's a message for the Board of Supervisors. If the Board of Supervisors votes tomorrow to remove me as a director of emergency operations – actually, eliminate the position of Director of Emergency Operations, this will impact public safety and public health... If you're asking the public to stay home, cooperate with authorities, the same applies to the Board of Supervisors ... This is not meant to stoke any fears, but we have to be united in this fight, and not to be distracted by politics, because that has no place in this fight against this deadly disease.
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS:
- Your No-Panic Guide To Coronavirus In LA So Far
- Tracking The Spread Of COVID-19
- Have A Question? We Will Answer It
DON'T MISS ANY L.A. CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Get our daily newsletter for the latest on COVID-19 and other top local headlines.
Sponsored message
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Support our free, independent journalism today. Donate now.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
