Today on AirTalk, we talk with parents about the decision to close down LAUSD schools starting Monday due to the coronavirus. Also on the show, we continue to answer questions you may have about COVID-19 and take a look at the impact the pandemic is having on the entertainment industry.
LAUSD To Close Schools Amid Coronavirus
The Los Angeles Unified School District has announced today that it will close schools effective Monday in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. San Diego Unified School District, the second largest district in the state, also announced this morning that they will close.
“There is evidence the virus is already present in the communities we serve, and our efforts now must be aimed at preventing its spread,” LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner and SDUSD Superintendent Cindy Marten said in a statement. This follows an emergency meeting early Friday morning as tension grows amid spread of the coronavirus. There was debate over whether the district should temporarily close its doors as an attempt to slow the spread. According to the L.A. Times, the L.A. teachers union, United Teachers Los Angeles had called on the district to take a “proactive approach” by shutting down campuses. Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District dismissed students from class Friday and Monday with teachers and staff still reporting to work.
Today on AirTalk, we discuss the latest from LAUSD and look at the difficult considerations districts are weighing amid the spread of coronavirus. Are you a parent of a student? What are your thoughts as districts make the difficult decision to close school doors? We want to hear from you. Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Alfonso Jimenez, deputy superintendent for the Santa Ana Unified School District
Gail Pinsker, community and public relations officer for the Santa Monica - Malibu Unified School District; the district has dismissed students from school for the next couple of days but has not closed yet; she tweets
Medical Expert Answers Your Questions On Coronavirus
State and county officials continue to scale up their response to the coronavirus pandemic, even as the Trump administration has said that it will not allow states to use Medicaid resources to treat COVID-19. Yesterday, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order that allows the state to take over hotels and medical facilities to treat coronavirus patients.
Newsom’s order also waives a one-week waiting period to apply for state benefits for individuals who are unemployed or disabled because of COVID-19.
As of this morning, there have been 198 confirmed cases of the virus in Los Angeles County, with 32 in California overall.
California has banned public gatherings of over 250 people, and the Los Angeles Unified School District called an emergency meeting this morning to decide about whether to suspend classes.
As you’re figuring out how to navigate life during the coronavirus pandemic, we want to hear from you. Are you wondering how to best practice social distancing? Are you wondering what to do if a loved one has been exposed to coronavirus? Do you have concerns about public health?
Timothy Brewer, epidemiologist and professor of medicine at UCLA, will join us this morning on AirTalk this morning to respond to your questions and concerns. Share your questions with us by calling 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Timothy Brewer, M.D., Professor of medicine and epidemiology at UCLA; has consulted for the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Movies Delays & Box Office Losses: How The Coronavirus Is Threatening The Film Industry
Government officials and public health authorities are responding loud and clear to the spread of COVID-19: stay home if you can and practice social distancing. The spread of the virus is drawing comparisons to the 2011 thriller “Contagion.” Unfortunately, this isn’t a movie. It’s impacting all kinds of industries, including the film industry itself.
According to Variety, film and television productions are shutting down across the world and it may leave a significant print for potentially years to come. The global film industry is at risk of a $5 billion loss, as reported in the Hollywood Reporter. And movie theaters, common places for community members to gather together to watch the latest releases, are sitting in a pool of anxiety. Last week, James Bond producers announced the film release of “No Time to Die” will be postponed. Thursday, actor/director John Krasinski
#AQuietPlacePart2...Take2 pic.twitter.com/YrCXLLpxjh
— John Krasinski (@johnkrasinski) March 12, 2020
the postponement of the highly anticipated sequel “A Quiet Place: Part II.” And the ninth installment of “Fast and Furious” known as “F9” will delay its release from May of this year to April 2021. Variety reports, movie theaters are moving forward with strict cleaning protocols. Things are changing by the day, even hour, so it’s unclear whether we could eventually see mass closures. Today on AirTalk, we discuss how the coronavirus is impacting the film industry up to this point. Do you work in the industry? We want to hear your stories and thoughts. Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Brent Lang, executive editor for film and media at Variety; he tweets
Nancy Tartaglione, international box office editor and senior contributor at Deadline; she tweets