Today on AirTalk, we talk about the latest in coronavirus news, including the Olympics being postponed and progress on the federal government stimulus package. We're also taking a look at what's being done to help the homeless; talk with listeners about how they're trying to maintain normalcy; and more.
Coronavirus Latest: 2020 Olympics Postponed, US Congress Expected To Reach Stimulus Deal Plus Taking Your Questions
This summer's Tokyo Olympics fell victim to the coronavirus crisis Tuesday as the death toll mounted rapidly in Europe and the United States, while American lawmakers closed in on a nearly $2 trillion deal to blunt the outbreak's economic damage.
The International Olympic Committee postponed the Olympics until 2021 on the recommendation of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, adding the games to the long roster of sports events disrupted by the deadly outbreak. In Washington, top congressional and White House officials said they expected to reach a deal Tuesday on a measure to shore up businesses and send relief checks to ordinary Americans. Stocks rallied around the world on the news, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average surging more 1,100 points, or over 6 percent, in early trading.
There have been more than 46,000 infections and 530 deaths in the U.S. as the virus continues to spread. In New York, now one of the world's biggest virus hot spots, authorities rushed to set up the thousands of hospital beds they will need in just weeks to protect the city's 8.4 million people. In Italy, Spain and France, the pandemic has already pushed national health systems to their breaking points. The outbreak has killed more than 6,000 Italians, the highest death toll of any country. Officials said Monday the virus had claimed just over 600 more lives, down from 793 two days earlier.
Today on AirTalk, we’ll update the latest news about the coronavirus outbreak, continue our daily discussion with a noted epidemiologist and take your questions about coronavirus and COVID-19 at 866-893-5722.
With files from the Associated Press
Guest:
Robert Kim-Farley, M.D., professor of epidemiology and community health sciences at UCLA Fielding School of Public Health; he served as the director of the Division of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health from 2003-2018 and is a former staffer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a former official of the World Health Organization
How Do You Find Normalcy And Joy In These Times?
Amidst the anxiety and quarantine brought on by COVID-19, people have still found a way to connect, relax and even create joy.
Videos of Italians, singing together across balconies, have been making the rounds on the web.
Italians in quarantine singing.
Whether it’s virtual cocktail hours with friends, dance challenges, virtual workout classes or belting with your neighbors, we want to hear about how you’ve been creating normalcy and happiness in your life.
Call us at 866-893-5722.
US Domestic Flights Could Be Shut Down
According to the Wall Street Journal, several U.S. airlines are considering a voluntary freeze on domestic passenger flights in the U.S. Meanwhile, the government is also thinking about restricting flights in the face of COVID-19.
We check in on the latest.
Guests:
Leslie Josephs, reporter covering airlines for CNBC; she tweets
Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants, the union representing 50,000 flight attendants across 20 airlines; she tweets
How Are Those Facing Homelessness In LA Impacted Amid The Coronavirus Pandemic?
The homeless population is particularly vulnerable during the global coronavirus pandemic.
There are an estimated 59,000 people who are homeless in L.A. County. Last week, Los Angeles leaders approved increased protections for homeless Angelenos in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19. But cleanups of homeless encampments, known as sweeps, weren't officially halted. Now, the CDC has issued a simple guideline for how local governments should conduct those sweeps: don't — unless individual housing units can be provided. According to the LA Times, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti also announced plans to use more than 40 recreation centers as shelter as a way to curb the spread of the virus to the vulnerable population. But some have raised concerns about people congregating in these facilities. Other efforts have included adding hand washing stations near encampments. As the coronavirus continues to spread across the country, we look at what authorities and advocates are doing to help the homeless population. Are you homeless? Do you have questions about the city and county’s coronavirus orders? Share your experience and join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
With files from LAist
Guests:
Heidi Marston, interim executive director of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority; she tweets
Va Lecia Adams Kellum, president and CEO of St. Joseph Center, which works with working poor families, and homeless men, women and children; they are based in Venice and service L.A. County; she tweets
Rev. Andy Bales, CEO of Union Rescue Mission; he tweets