Today on AirTalk, we talk with workers about the city's order to close all restaurant, bar and entertainment establishments. Also on the show, we discuss mental health and COVID-19; last night's Democratic debate; and more.
Coronavirus Continues To Spread Throughout L.A. What Can You Do To Help?
This weekend, more restrictions were put in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus, as local, state, and federal officials continue to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
Yesterday, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that bars, nightclubs, gyms, and movie theaters within city limits are now required to close, while restaurants are required to limit their business to carryout orders. This order took effect at midnight last night.
On NBC’s Meet the Press yesterday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said he was open to the idea of a two week national shutdown, similar to measures taken in European countries with more widespread coronavirus cases.
On Friday, the Los Angeles Unified School District announced that for the next two weeks, campuses will be closed and their students will be required to complete their coursework from home. Also on Friday, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order giving school districts that close additional funds for remote learning, though he stopped short of ordering all schools in the state to close.
In order to curb the spread of coronavirus, experts have advised that citizens should practice good personal hygiene and social distancing, including washing your hands frequently, avoiding touching your face, and keeping at least three feet away from other individuals in public.
Do you have questions about how to change your behavior to help stop the spread of coronavirus? Are you or a loved one at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19? Dr. Timothy Klausner, professor of medicine and expert in applied epidemiology at UCLA, will be with us on AirTalk today to answer your questions and concerns. Share your questions and concerns with our expert by calling 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Jeffrey Klausner, M.D., professor of medicine and public health at UCLA who studies applied epidemiology and the control of infectious diseases; he is a frequent advisor to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and the World Health Organization
Mental Health In The Time Of COVID-19: We Talk To A Psychologist About Dealing With Social Distancing, Uncertainty And More
As COVID-19 related restrictions ramp up and uncertainty looms, an increasingly important facet of the public health conversation is mental health.
For individuals undergoing self quarantine or practicing social distancing, the effects can be isolating and difficult. For first responders on the front lines of the pandemic, self care may be taking a backseat. What measures should we take to keep ourselves connected and mentally healthy, in the face of uncertainty? We talk with licensed psychologist and crisis response expert Diana Concannon about best practices. If you have a question for Dr. Concannon, call us at 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Diana Concannon, PsyD, associate Provost at Alliant International University in California; she is a forensic psychologist who’s worked in crisis response for over a decade
Restaurant, Bar And Entertainment Workers: How Are You Coping Amid Closures?
Sunday night, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti ordered bars, gyms and movie theaters to close as an effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Restaurants also must halt in-person dining, but can remain open for carry-out orders.
The CDC is recommending gatherings of more than 50 people should be halted for at least eight weeks. This is a massive and unprecedented hit to the entertainment and leisure scene. Public officials have said they don’t take these decisions lightly, recognizing the hit to businesses and employees. They say the difficult decisions are necessary to protect public health and slow the spread of the virus. According to LAist, Garcetti has also called for an eviction moratorium.
Do you work in the restaurant or bar industry? How are you coping with the closures? What measures are employers taking to increase worker safety? We want to hear from you today on AirTalk. Tell us what you’re going through. Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
As California Seniors, High-Risk Populations Self-Isolate Amid Coronavirus Outbreak, How Are You Staying Connected?
Among the recommendations from California Governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday night as he updated Golden State residents on the latest regarding the coronavirus outbreak was that Californians over the age of 65 and those with underlying health conditions self-isolate to prevent the spread of disease. Hospitals and nursing homes were also asked to cut back on the number of visitors they allow.
The guidance raises a number of questions for how California seniors -- how will meal deliveries and food resupply work? Will people still be able to attend their usual doctor’s visits and get prescription medications filled? And how will seniors stay connected to the outside world and their family members and loved ones if they are being asked to stay at home, especially in places like assisted living facilities that often have regular, organized activities to keep residents physically and mentally active?
Today on AirTalk, we’ll talk about some tips for older Californians as they self-isolate amid the outbreak. If you are one of them, we’d like to hear from you! How are you staying connected to your families and the outside world? How are you navigating this psychologically? If you’re a caretaker of an older relative, how are you staying connected and continuing to provide care, even if you can no longer be with your loved one physically? Join the live conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Lisa Gibbs, M.D., clinical professor of family medicine and chief of the Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine
Week In Politics: The Coronavirus Debate, Biden Commits To Woman VP
AirTalk’s weekly political roundtable recaps the major headlines you might’ve missed in politics news over the weekend and looks ahead to the week to come. Here are the headlines what we’re following this week:
Coronavirus:
2020:
Guests:
Dick Wadhams, longtime Republican political consultant based in Denver; he served as the chairman of the Colorado Republican Party from 2007 to 2011
Matt Barreto, professor of political science and Chicano/a Studies at UCLA and co-founder of the research and polling firm Latino Decisions; he tweets