Today on AirTalk, we talk with listeners in the restaurant industry on how they're doing since all bars and restaurants were forced to close. Also on the show, we take a look at how hospitals are navigating the outbreak and talk about what people are doing to help each other during this stressful time.
Answering Your Novel Coronavirus Questions, Plus A Look At How Hospitals Are Navigating The Outbreak
The Chinese city where the coronavirus first emerged reported no new homegrown cases Thursday, while the death toll in Italy was poised to overtake China's in a stark illustration of how the crisis has pivoted toward Europe and the U.S.
Meanwhile, hospitals across the country remain on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19 as they work to navigate the influx of patients, potential bed shortages, personal protection equipment needs for employees all while keeping the facility operating 24/7. Here in Los Angeles, it is estimated that about 8% of the adult population would require hospital care. In a moderate scenario where 40% of the population is infected over a 12-month period, hospitals in L.A. would receive an estimated 647,000 coronavirus patients. The influx of patients would require 21,600 beds over 12 months, which is 3.3 times times the number of available beds in that time period. Intensive care units would be especially overwhelmed and require additional capacity. Without coronavirus patients, there are only 940 available beds on average in intensive care units, which is 4.8 times times less than what is needed to care for all severe cases.
Today on AirTalk, we’ll continue answering your questions about the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, the illness it causes. If you’re someone who works in hospital administration, we’d like to hear from you, too. How are you dealing with the different changes in how care is being provided? Join our live conversation by calling. 866-893-5722.
For more from LAist and ProPublica about how Los Angeles hospitals are dealing with the novel coronavirus, click here.
With files from LAist and ProPublica
Guest:
Richard Riggs, M.D., senior vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Being A Good Neighbor In The Time Of COVID-19
In this current time of uncertainty and self quarantine, there have been bright moments - acts of kindness and togetherness, especially among neighbors who may have never communicated before.
Some people are starting online neighborhood support groups. Some are creating networks of volunteers who will do shopping and errands for those who are most vulnerable. And some are just creating spaces to chat and share stories.
Today, we want to hear your stories of neighborly kindness and support, at 866-893-5722.
Restaurant Industry: How Are You Coping Following Order To Stall In-Person Dining?
The city and county of Los Angeles have ordered all bars and restaurants to put a pause on in-person dining.
Those offering food can still provide deliveries and pick up orders to customers. A number of cities have followed suit across the state and country with similar restrictions. Now, several counties in the San Francisco Bay area are ordered to shelter in place and only travel for essentials like food and healthcare. This is devastating for many working in the industry. NBC News reports, even if the virus is contained sooner rather than later, it’ll be enough to shutter some businesses. Today on AirTalk, we want to hear from those in the restaurant industry from owners and managers to chefs and servers. How has your business fared over the last several days and what have you been doing to manage with the new restrictions? Are you enhancing best practices to increase safety of workers and customers? Are you worried about what the future holds? We want to hear your experiences. Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Jot Condie, president & CEO of the California Restaurant Association, an advocacy organization for the restaurant industry
Charles Lew, Los Angeles-based lawyer and Small Business Commissioner for Los Angeles City; he tweets