Today on AirTalk, we talk with a roundtable of experts on how LAUSD is navigating the COVID-19 crisis. Also on the show, we discuss the state of Los Angeles' economy; get the latest on COVID-19; and more.
COVID-19: New Cases In LA County, Some States Move To Reopen In Coming Days
On Monday, L.A. County reported 1,491 new coronavirus cases and 17 new deaths. This does not represent the number of new cases in a single day; 1,198 of these positive cases are from the backlog of tests conducted between Apr. 7 and Apr. 14, and the additional 293 are from the Department of Health daily reported cases. The total number of deaths in the county raises to 617.
As new cases continue to be confirmed, Californians are continuing to be under "safer at home" and "social distancing" orders. State and county officials have ordered the vast majority of Californians to strictly limit interactions with other people, wash hands frequently, and stay 6 feet away from others. Meanwhile, some countries and states in the U.S. are moving to reopen. Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia and Colorado, announced plans to gradually reopen in the coming days, despite the concerns of health officials. Boeing and at least one other American heavy equipment manufacturer resumed production. But governors from many other states said they lack necessary testing supplies and warned they could get hit by a second wave of infections, as people with no symptoms can still spread the disease.
Today on AirTalk, we discuss the latest with COVID-19. We’ll also continue taking your questions for our infectious disease specialist. Call us at 866-893-5722.
With files from LAist and the Associated Press. Read the full LAist story here.
Guest:
Peter Chin-Hong, M.D., infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center; he tweets
New Report Dives Deep Into The Economic Impact Of COVID-19 On Los Angeles County
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation is expected to release a study with detailed findings on the economic impact of COVID-19 to Los Angeles County. The nonprofit previewed some of the report's findings in a weekly webinar they've been holding with small business owners across the county. The full report will be published later on Tuesday.
On Monday, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti detailed deep cuts to the city’s 2020-21 budget. It’s the latest example of the havoc the COVID-19 pandemic has wrought across both the private and public sectors.
Garcetti had already signaled that there will be furloughs for the city's civilian workforce. The mayor estimated city workers are expected to forego about 10% of their salaries. The city's hiring freeze is also continuing. City Controller Ron Galperin released a staggering revised estimate for city revenues that forecast a $231 million revenue shortfall for this fiscal year, which ends in June, and up to $598 million next year, which begins July 1. In his State of the City address on Sunday, Mayor Garcetti said he had already moved to borrow $70 million from city special funds and reserve fund, furlough all civilian employees for 26 days, the equivalent of a 10% pay cut, and make significant cuts to many city departments, which "will have to operate at sharply reduced strength."
At the county level, KPCC’s Libby Denkmann reports that the Los Angeles County CEO and Board of Supervisors is forecasting a $1 billion decline in sales tax revenue between March 1 and the end of the fiscal year on June 30. That sales tax shortfall could double next year, depending on how long the economic slowdown lasts. County CEO Sachi Hamai will present next year's proposed budget to the Board of Supervisors April 28. She said in a statement the revenue outlook included "significant losses which, unfortunately, will have a major effect on programs that the County administers on behalf of our 10 million residents."
Today on AirTalk, we’ll dive deeper into how COVID-19 is impacting the Los Angeles County economy, which sectors are seeing the worst hit and how the City of Los Angeles’ budget fits into the picture.
You can read the full report from LAEDC here. As of the airing of this segment, the report had yet to be published so please check back periodically if you don't see the report right away.
For more from LAist and KPCC’s Libby Denkmann on the city budget cuts, click here to visit our guide to this year’s L.A. City budget.
With files from LAist
Guest:
Bill Allen, CEO of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization that collaborates with public and private stakeholders in L.A. County to guide economic development
Should The Workplace Dress Code Cease To Exist When Things Go Back To Normal?
Stretch pants all day long, a hoodie or a baseball cap, and sweats for weeks at a time. Working from home leaves no judgement on our fashion choices, which is kind of nice. There’s no dress code at home.
According to a recent piece in The Atlantic, most workplaces have some form of dress code or standard for work attire. But maybe the rules, even if unspoken, should be ditched all together.
Workplace fashion has grown more casual overtime, with some companies even allowing jeans and sweatshirts. Fashion experts say we’re likely to see an impact to fashion trends due the events of the coronavirus pandemic, but it’s unclear what that will look like. Employees may be able to get away with more casual attire, but some workers may return to work in fancier outfits because they simply miss dressing up. We’ll see.
Today on AirTalk, we want to know what you think. How have your fashion choices changed due to the pandemic? Do you think changes to the traditional office dress code could be a good thing or a bad thing? Share your thoughts by calling 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, fashion historian based in Los Angeles and author of "Worn On This Day: The Clothes That Made History" (Running Press, 2019); she tweets
AirTalk Special: LAUSD Supe Austin Beutner And School Officials On COVID-19 Challenges
The Los Angeles Unified School District’s leader pleaded with California for more emergency funding Monday, saying uncovered bills for the district’s response to the coronavirus crisis are mounting fast.
By the end of the school year, Superintendent Austin Beutner estimated that LAUSD’s pandemic response will cost the nation's second largest public school system nearly $200 million that it doesn’t currently have in its $8 billion budget.
To read more, visit LAist.
We sit down with Beutner and other LAUSD officials and watchers to discuss the school district’s transition to distance learning, funding challenges and what’s to come for the rest of the school year and beyond.
If your student needs a laptop to access school work, you can call this LAUSD hotline: 213-443-1300. For student with disabilities, the hotline number is: 213-241-6701.
With files from LAist.
Guests:
Austin Beutner, superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District
Kyle Stokes, education reporter for KPCC covering K-12 education; he tweets
Carla Javier, KPCC reporter on the education team who’s been reporting on a series of townhalls hosted by LAUSD board members for the school community; she tweets
Alison Yoshimoto-Towery, Chief Academic Officer at LAUSD; she tweets
Anthony Aguilar, Chief of Special Education, Equity and Access at LAUSD