Today on AirTalk, we check-in on the Bay Area as they instate a "shelter in place" order for residents to slow the outbreak. Also on the show, we talk with Mayor Garcetti on what the order might mean for LA; discuss how you can still plan for retirement; speak with listeners on how their handling kids staying at home; and more.
COVID-19 Update: Bay Area’s ‘Shelter In Place’ Order, Trump Presser And More
County officials in the Bay Area issued the strictest rules in the country amid the COVID-19 outbreak on Monday, announcing a “shelter in place” order in six Northern California counties -- San Francisco, Alameda, Marin, Santa Clara, San Mateo and Contra Costa.
The measures take effect at 12:01a PT on Tuesday and will last for three weeks, affecting a combined population of 6.7 million according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The orders ban non-essential gatherings of any size as well as most travel, with the exception of things like shopping trips, essential medical care, and providing aid for family or friends. It also includes orders for everyone to work from home, with the exception of first responders, utility providers and other essential service personnel, and other provisions similar to what cities like Los Angeles and others have given with regards to bars, restaurants and gyms closing, health and dental care appointments to be done remotely if possible. Neither L.A. City nor L.A. County has indicated at this time that it will issue similar orders in the future.
Today on AirTalk, we’ll check in with a reporter in the Bay Area on the latest as the “shelter in place” orders go into effect. We’ll also talk to an epidemiologist to answer your medical questions.
For comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak, including our no-panic, fact-checked guide to navigating the virus in Southern California, click here.
Guests:
Erin Allday, health writer for the San Francisco Chronicle; she tweets
Shruti Gohil, M.D., professor of medicine and associate medical director for epidemiology and infection prevention at UC Irvine’s school of medicine
Awareness, Anxiety And The Coronavirus: How To Avoid Alarmism Amid The Outbreak
It’s not just you, the information really is changing by the minute as the world monitors the evolution of the coronavirus outbreak.
We’re feeling it in the KPCC newsroom, too. Sometimes it feels like we haven’t had time to process the previous headline before a new one comes out that completely nullifies it. It’s easy to get lost in the sea of information and it can be hard to differentiate between what’s fact and what’s not, and the sheer volume of information is enough to rattle even those with the hardiest constitutions. That’s part of the reason why we’ve been bringing you daily Q&A segments on AirTalk with epidemiologists, public health officials and experts and others to answer your question and, hopefully, help quell some of the anxiety that many are feeling right now.
Today on AirTalk, we’ll examine the role and effect of fear and anxiety on society during virus outbreaks like the one we’re experiencing right now and try to put this epidemic in context historically with other disease outbreaks that have created similar levels of panic in society.
For comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak, including our no-panic, fact-checked guide to navigating the virus in Southern California, click here.
Guest:
Philip G. Alcabes, professor of public health and director of the Public Health Program at Hunter College in New York City, a constituent college of the City University of New York (CUNY); he is the author of “Dread: How Fear and Fantasy have Fueled Epidemics from the Black Death to the Avian Flu” (Public Affairs Books, 2009)
Might LA Also Mandate ‘Shelter In Place?’ We Talk With LA Mayor Garcetti Re: COVID-19
On Sunday, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti issued a moratorium on evictions and wide bans on businesses and entertainment facilities tonight just minutes after L.A. County officials announced they were shutting down all offices to the public. Read more on LAist, here.
To help residents cope with the new normal (at least for now), Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti also announced what is sure to be a very popular moratorium on parking tickets issued in street-sweeping zones. This move adds to a previous order blocking tenant evictions because of difficulties related to COVID-19. To read more about this measure, click here.
Plus, on a Facebook live stream Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom said he would extend ‘shelter in place’ to the entire state, though it’s unclear what kind of enforcement measures are behind the statement, if any, and what it means for Los Angeles.
We talk with Mayor Eric Garcetti about what this means for Los Angeles, as well the measures currently in place and what’s being considered.
With files from LAist.
Guest:
Eric Garcetti, mayor of Los Angeles; he tweets
Planning For Retirement In The Midst Of Market Volatility
The U.S. stock market plunged to its worst day in more than three decades as voices from Wall Street to the White House said the coronavirus may be dragging the economy into a recession.
Monday’s 12% drop for the S&P 500 means it has plummeted nearly 30% since setting a record less than a month ago, and it’s at its lowest point since the end of 2018. Losses were steep Monday, accelerating in the last half hour of trading after President Donald Trump said the economy may be headed for a recession and asked Americans to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people.
For those who are retired or planning for retirement, this can be a scary time. After eleven years of bull market, financial straits now look uncertain and market volatility is making it more difficult to plan ahead. We gather a roundtable of financial planners to discuss best practices and answer your questions.
Call us at 866-893-5722.
With files from the Associated Press.
Guests:
Delia Fernandez, fee-only certified financial planner and investment advisor with Fernandez Financial Advisory, LLC in Los Alamitos
Matthew Murawski, a fee-only fiduciary financial planner at Encino-based Goodstein Wealth Management
Juggling Child’s Education And Work? How Kids Can Continue Learning While Schools Are Closed
LAUSD, along with a number of other school districts across the country, has shut its doors amid the coronavirus outbreak. Officials called it a necessary step in curbing the spread of the virus. But it means kids are out of school. Many parents are wondering how to make sure they’re continuing to stimulate their brains over the next couple weeks, maybe even longer.
KPCC’s Mariana Dale talked to several early learning experts, and there’s a wide consensus for parents to ease up on the pressure to recreate the classroom. It’s not realistic. Many parents are juggling a lot of responsibilities, including working from home. Experts say the key is engagement. It can be as simple as asking questions, doing chores around the house, baking, telling stories and more. So what are you doing to keep your child engaged while out of school? How are you explaining the situation the country is currently in with the pandemic? What challenges are you facing? We want to hear from you. Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
Read Mariana Dale’s full story here on LAist
Guests:
Mariana Dale, covers early childhood education for KPCC; she tweets
Margo Pensavalle, professor of clinical education at the University of Southern California