Greater LA

Hot weather drove many Angelenos to the beach over the weekend, despite admonitions to stay home. In Ventura County, very few beachgoers wore masks, and many said they felt there was enough room for everyone to socially distance.

Due to stay-at-home orders, LA’s high school seniors are missing out on prom, and worrying about graduation and college. 

Some nurses are now sleeping in donated trailers so they don’t risk spreading COVID-19 to their families. Naomi Barajas, an ER nurse in Ventura County, says her trailer is parked in the driveway and has a little sink, a little fridge, and stove.

Living through this pandemic means many people are stuck at home and glued to the news. Readership and listenership are up. But with so many businesses shut down, fewer people are buying ads, and that spells big trouble for the people who bring you the news.

COVID-19 has hit LA’s economy hard. Non-essential businesses are closed, and some may not survive after this pandemic. LA Mayor Eric Garcetti proposed a $10.6 billion city budget today. It includes a month-long furlough and hiring freeze. The budget still needs approval from the LA City Council.

Every major professional sports league is on hiatus until at least summer, from the NBA to MLB. There’s one exception: esports, in which pro athletes compete via video games. Esports athletes are in prime position to gain new followers, according to Arnold Hur, COO of Gen.G, a professional esports organization.  

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the demolition of four aging buildings at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art has begun. It’s the first major step in the construction of a $750 million redesign. Also, we learn how social workers are conducting virtual home visits. 

Governor Gavin Newsom announced his plan for lifting pandemic restrictions and reopening California’s economy. He'll be coordinating with the governors of Oregon and Washington to slowly resume business and private life as usual.

During COVID-19, animal shelters and rescues are seeing spikes in foster and adoption rates. We look at how foster animals are providing comfort and joy to Angelenos trapped at home. 

A new COVID-19 mobile testing site opened this week at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in South LA. The site will also collect data on the ethnic and racial breakdown of who is getting sick, who is being hospitalized, and who is dying. Early data suggests that the black community across the country is being particularly hit hard.