WSSN Stories

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to mount, many Americans may be considering where to go for care if they develop potential symptoms. One important – yet potentially overlooked – resource is telehealth, which may enable people to connect 24/7 with a health care provider via a digital device and avoid potential exposure risks associated with in-person trips to health care facilities.

“Telehealth may be especially helpful as an initial option for medical advice related to COVID-19 and to help evaluate other possible health issues, as well as to assist people who live in rural areas,” said Dr. Anne Docimo, Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare.

To help people more effectively take advantage of this technology during the evolving COVID-19 situation, here are three tips to consider:

1. Identify available resources: To find telehealth resources, check with your care provider group, health benefit plan or employer. According to a recent Mercer study, nearly nine out of 10 employers offer telehealth visits to their employees, as do many Medicare and Medicaid health plans (in some cases by telephone). Meanwhile, 76% of hospitals connect patients and care providers using video or other technology, according to the American Hospital Association. In some cases, people can currently access telehealth visits without cost sharing. Since the outbreak emerged, some health plans are now encouraging patients to use telephone or live videoconferencing (if available) to connect people with local network medical providers, currently waiving cost sharing for COVID-19 related visits and treatments. Docimo points out this is especially important for people with certain complex conditions, such as diabetes or Parkinson’s disease, as it may enable them to “see” their own physician for acute or follow-up care related to their condition and help avoid potential exposure to the coronavirus during an in-person visit.
2. Understand likely next steps: During a telehealth visit, care providers can give general medical advice to evaluate possible COVID-19 symptoms (fever, dry cough or difficulty breathing). While diagnostic testing services are not available through a telehealth visit to help confirm a diagnosis for COVID-19 (if needed), care providers can help guide patients to a local care provider or public health authority for testing and follow-up care. Making these connections may help people take the appropriate steps in advance of an in-person test, which may help reduce the risk of your exposure and possible exposure to other patients and health care providers. For other illnesses (not COVID-19 related) that are treatable with medications, telehealth care providers can write prescriptions and discuss how to obtain them safely, such as using medication home delivery or drive-thru pickup at a local pharmacy. Due to the COVID-19 situation, it is important to note that people may anticipate potential wait times, as some care providers offering telehealth may be currently experiencing a surge in appointments.
3. Access other health services: While elective health care procedures may be delayed to help enable care providers to focus on COVID-19 cases, telehealth may help people more effectively manage other health issues without the need to go out and risk potential exposure to the virus. Telehealth can help address myriad medical issues, including allergies, pinkeye, fevers, rashes and the regular flu. In addition, so much time at home can also contribute to behavioral health issues, so people should consider telehealth as a resource to connect with a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist. Importantly, people who experience a significant or serious medical issue should go to the emergency room (ER).

By considering these tips, people across the country may be able to more effectively use telehealth resources to help stay safe during these challenging times. For more information about the COVID-19 situation, go to www.uhc.com/coronavirus.

WASHINGTON—-  The Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) issued frequently asked questions (FAQ Watch) for healthcare providers related to COVID-19. The novel coronavirus outbreak has caused significant disruption to global health, especially for vulnerable populations in the U.S. The ABC created FAQ Watch to provide a succinct update on the science and clinical challenges posed by the disease and potential cardiac implications. FAQ Watch will be updated as needed or at least weekly by its editors Kevin M. Alexander, MD (Chair), Michelle A. Albert, MD, MPH (ABC President), Peter Chin-Hong, MD, MPH, and Norrisa Haynes, MD, MPH.

In addition to informing health care providers about the science and clinical aspects of the coronavirus infection, the ABC is undertaking efforts to raise awareness in diverse populations.  The organization is particularly concerned about the pandemic’s effect on the African-American diaspora and other underserved groups. 

“ABC has been at the forefront of addressing cardiovascular disparities in our communities,” said Elizabeth Ofili, MD, MPH, ABC Board Chair. “The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed severe inequities in access to healthcare and preventive services. As a nation, we have an unprecedented opportunity to address these issues, by working with affected communities, and the healthcare providers who serve them.”

FAQ Watch covers the clinical stages of COVID-19, associated cardiovascular complications and treatments currently advised for COVID-19 management. Recommended changes in practice for interventional cardiologists and catheterization laboratories as well as new guidance for transthoracic echo and transesophageal echo procedures have also been incorporated. FAQ Watch answers other critical questions, including how communities of color can diminish the spread of COVID-19 and decrease their risk of fatal outcomes.

ABC is inspired by how different communities are pulling together at individual, leadership, medical, scientific and public health levels to mitigate the impact of this pandemic. This downloadable FAQ is a new component of earlier actions ABC initiated in response to the virus:   

• ABC President Dr. Michelle Albert introduces ABC COVID-19 Information & Resource Hub and highlights the Council on Black Health’s brief, “What Coronavirus Means for Black Communities.”
• ABC and OtherHealth Care Groups Issue Urgent Call for Federal Action to Address Medical Equipment Shortages
• ABC hosts a webinar, “At the Heart of the Matter: Unmasking the Invisibility of COVID-19 in Diverse Populations.”Now available for viewing.
• ABC President Dr. Michelle Albert joins KDKA Radio host Lynne Hayes-Freeland to discuss COVID-19, health care disparities and African Americans. Listen to Interview

About ABC
Founded in 1974, the ABC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating the disparities related to cardiovascular disease and achieving health equity such that all people can live long, healthy lives. Membership is open to all interested in the care of people with or at risk for cardiovascular disease, including health professionals, lay members of the community (Community Health Advocates), corporate and institutional members. For more information, visit www.abcardio.org and connect with ABC on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

SOURCE: Association of Black Cardiologists

Pregnant women and single mothers may be experiencing particular food insecurity and hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Los Angeles County, there are several programs and services that help families who have been affected by recent events: 

• Home Visiting Programs are still enrolling new clients and serving families in LA County. Home Visitors provide support and services during pregnancy; coaches parents on how to support children during difficult times; offers techniques for lowering stress; and connects parents to educational training, job opportunities, and other resources. For the health and safety of our clients, all home visiting programs have temporarily moved all in-person visits to telehealth visits to continue providing support to all our families. For more information, call (213) 639-6434.
• MAMA’s Program is providing services to pregnant women and those who have recently delivered during the COVID-9 crisis by offering telehealth telephonic and video visits for medical and behavioral health services, social care navigation, and nursing support. The telehealth platform lessens the face-to-face contact for these women without decreasing the number of visits they require or desire. Pregnant women in the safety net who need prenatal and immediate postpartum services can call 844-37-MAMAS for appointments and enhanced perinatal services.  
• Doula services provide emotional support, physical comfort, education, and advocacy to African American pregnant women and persons during pregnancy, childbirth, and the newborn period. Call (213) 639-6448 for more information and eligibility requirements.
• Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program provides healthy foods and other resources to pregnant women and families with a child under 5 years of age. For more information and eligibility requirements, text APPLY to 91997, visit phfewic.org or call (888) 942-2229.
• Cash aid and food purchasing services are available through CalWORKS. This program provides monthly financial assistance to help pay for housing, food, utilities, clothing, medical care and other necessary expenses. For more information and eligibility requirements, call (866) 613-3777. 
• Early childhood education and childcare services are available for essential workers. Call (888) 92CHILD (922-4453) or visit lacoe.edu/childcare for more information and resources.
• Emotional support services are available for pregnant and parenting families feeling anxious, panicked, or stressed. Mental health professionals are available at (800) 854-7771.
• California Women, Infants and Children (WIC) services are available and include nutritious foods and more resources that are available to all eligible families affected by COVID-19. WIC welcomes military families, migrant families, fathers, foster parents and legal guardians with eligible children. If your income has been affected by recent events, and you are:
  • Pregnant 
  • Breastfeeding (up to the infant’s first birthday)
  • Non-breastfeeding women (until the infant is six months old)
  • Women up to six months after a pregnancy loss
  • For infants and children, up to the child’s fifth birthday. 
  • To find out if you’re eligible, California residents can start by texting APPLY to 91997, call (888) 942-2229 or visit phfewic.org

If you want to learn more about the risks of COVID-19 to pregnant women, visit COVID-19: Advice to Pregnant Women. If you are pregnant and you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 or you think you may have contracted the virus, visit covid19.lacounty.gov/testing to schedule an appointment. 

Lastly, pregnant women should take the same preventative measures as the general public to avoid infection. You can help stop the spread of COVID-19 by taking these actions:

• Stay home. Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Have food delivered to your home so you can avoid checkout lines at grocery stores.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or using the restroom.
• Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks & cell phones).

African American-owned restaurants across California will be able to participate in a new state program that contracts eateries to prepare meals and deliver them to vulnerable senior citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Newsom announced the new “first-in-the-nation” initiative, dubbed “Restaurants Deliver: Home Meals for Seniors,”April 24.

“This partnership will allow restaurants to start rehiring people or keep people currently employed and start preparing meals, three meals a day, seven days a week, and have those meals delivered to our seniors all throughout the state of California,” Gov. Newsom said during his daily press briefing.

The program is being executed in partnership with California counties, cities, and Native American tribes, said the governor, who has a background in the food and beverage industry. Newsom co-founded the Napa-based PlumpJack Winery. Its parent company, the PlumpJack Group’s portfolio includes restaurants, hotels, wine, and event space ventures.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA) is bankrolling 75% of the costs. California, Newsom said, will subsidize the remaining 25% for counties and cities. 

The meals program for seniors is part of a broader initiative organized to support California seniors who are isolating at home, adhering to the state’s coronavirus shelter in place order. The other programs are the “Social Bridging Project,” which brings together 1,000 volunteers to check in on older Californians during the crisis. The other is “Friendship Line California,” a toll-free telephone service that provides emotional support to aging adults across the state.  The California Department of Aging is partnering with the Institute of Aging to roll out this effort.

“Older adults are heroes for being the first Californians to stay at home and save lives. However, they may be struggling to access food, and with the mental health implications of isolation. These programs will make sure our older friends, family, and neighbors have access to the food and friendship they need,” said Director of the California Department of Aging Kim McCoy Wade.

Since the COVID-19 shelter in place began in mid-March, many restaurants across the state have been running at half capacity — only open for pickup and delivery orders. Some of them are not open at all.

Reporting severe drops in their revenues, many African-American restaurateurs in California look at a steady partnership with the state — one that provides a constant flow of income — as a viable option.

The state of California estimates that 1.2 million people over 65 years of age across the state live by themselves, Newsom said. Overall, the state is home to almost six million aging adults.

“It’s not just about the meals,” Newsom said during his daily midday news briefing. “It’s about a human connection, about someone just checking in as they’re delivering those meals and making sure people are okay.”

African Americans account for nearly 11% of COVID-19 deaths in the state, the California Department of Public Health reports. Blacks make up only about 6%  of California’s population of almost 40 million residents.

African Americans also fall behind when it comes to proprietorship and running restaurants. Blacks make up about 13% of the population, but consist of  8% of restaurant owners and the same share of restaurant managers, according to the National Restaurant Association.

Black-owned restaurants may want to be a part of the nutritional aspects of the program that could continue beyond the coronavirus crisis, some advocates for aging Californians say.

According to the state, the “Restaurants Deliver: Home Meals for Seniors” program has two main purposes. The first is to help older and other adults at high risk from COVID-19 to stay home and stay healthy by delivering three nutritious meals a day. The second is to provide an essential economic stimulus to local businesses and workers struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 crisis.

As local governments stand up their own nutrition programs over the next few weeks, more information will be provided at ?https://www.gov.ca.gov.

In the meantime, here are some resources for aging Californians that are available now:

o   Senior citizens can enter their locations into 211.org to find local services, such as nutrition, financial, health care, and housing assistance.

o   Every community has an Aging and Adult Info Line to connect people to services: ?(800) 510-2020..

o   Seniors can also visit the California Department of Aging’s COVID-19 page (?www.aging.ca.gov) for a list of resources for older and other at-risk adults.

o   For emotional support, call Friendship Line California @ 1-888-670-1360

“We are all in this together,” said Gov. Newsom. “We will continue to support older Californians who are more at risk during this public health emergency.”

Restaurateurs can get more information and apply to be a part of the “Restaurants Deliver: Home Meals for Seniors” program here.

Out-of-work gig workers in California whose employers have not paid into the state’s unemployment insurance fund — as well as Californians without jobs who have run out of unemployment benefits — will be able to file new unemployment claims.

Starting April 28, the state will begin accepting unemployment insurance (UI) applications from both of those categories of jobless Californians through the California Employee Development Department (EDD) website.

“We have been working on making sure that we get Californians what they are entitled to under PUA,” California Labor Secretary Julie A. Su wrote in an open letter last week. She was breaking down the new federal government Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program that provides Californians an additional $600 a week on top of whatever amount — between $40 and $450 —  they qualify for under the state’s unemployment insurance program. The supplemental unemployment money is funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) act, which the United States Congress approved and President Trump signed into law last month.

The EDD has built a new system to handle new CARES Act claims for both the regular state unemployment insurance benefits and payouts from the new federal PUA program. The website has specifically been constructed to accommodate claims from independent contractors, the self-employed and individuals who lack sufficient work history.

For every week a gig worker was out of work between Feb. 2, 2020 and March 28, 2020, he or she will receive $167 in unemployment benefits from the state of California, according to the EDD. In the next phase, which runs from March 29 to July 25, unemployed gig workers will receive $167 for each of those weeks, plus an additional $600 in PUA payments. For the final phase, which goes from July 26 to Dec. 26, they will go back to receiving only the $167 in PUA benefits if still needed.

The state has recently updated the PUA web page to include eligibility criteria. Anyone who has lost work due to COVID-19 related complications is eligible, whether he or she been diagnosed, is acting as a caregiver, or has lost work due to complications.

“There’s one and a half million that are self-employed, one and a half small businessmen and women, individuals that have no other employees, and they’re also deserving of direct assistance,” said Governor Newsom in a recent press briefing, announcing the initiative.

Su provided some specifics of the PUA program during the same press conference and in a letter addressed to all Californians on April 15.

According to Su, the PUA program will have a fast turnaround so that benefits can be administered within 24-48 hours. Also, benefit payments will be retroactive, going back to the first week of February, if the applicant can prove that his or her loss of work was due to COVID-19. She added that the extra $600 from the federal CARES Act will also be retroactive.

To handle the increased hours and high amount of calls, the Unemployment Insurance branch has added 740 new EDD employees and 600 others across state government.

Su said the state has taken other steps to make sure that people affected by the crisis receive their money without delay, including extending call center hours from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and adding phone lines. Also, Labor Secretary Su announced April 23 that EDD has temporarily suspended Unemployment Insurance certifications for the weeks ending March 14 through May 9. EDD will issue regular unemployment payments during those weeks, and will not stop payment unless notified that the recipient has found new employment.

Labor department call center staff members answered on the first ring when California Black Media made investigative calls twice this week after hearing reports that unemployment insurance support phone lines were down when applicants called on the first day seeking help.

On April 14, Su held a Facebook Live discussion to update the public about unemployment benefits. She answered questions from concerned self-employed workers who had received $0 UI determinations from the EDD and had trouble getting a representative on the phone. According to Su, a $0 determination means that there was no money paid into self-employment from a previous employer. She also said that self-employed workers who applied for UI would possibly have to apply again for PUA once it’s available.

“Let me also acknowledge that there has been frustration and disappointment about how long things take, uncertainty about what it means when you can’t get the payments that you need right now,” she said. “I also just wanted to acknowledge that it is a difficult time and I know that it is very, very hard for people throughout California, throughout the country, and throughout the world.”

Gov. Newsom also announced a $75 million Disaster Relief Fund for undocumented Californians who are ineligible for UI benefits and disaster benefits, including the federal stimulus check, due to their immigration status. According to Newsom, individuals can apply for a one-time cash benefit of $500 per adult capped at $1,000 per household beginning next month.

607 New Cases of Confirmed COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 48 new deaths and 607 new cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Thirty-seven people who died were over the age of 65 and nine people who died were between the ages of 41 to 65 years old. Thirty-eight people had underlying health conditions including 30 people over the age of 65 and eight people between the ages of 41 to 65 years old. Two deaths were reported by the City of Long Beach.

To date, Public Health has identified 19,107 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County, and a total of 895 deaths. Ninety-two percent of people who died had underlying health conditions. Of those who died, information about race and ethnicity is available for 820 people (97 percent of the cases); 37% of deaths occurred among Latinx residents, 28% among White residents, 18% among Asian residents, 14% among African American residents, 1% among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander residents and 1% among residents identifying with other races. Upon further investigation, 17 cases and one death reported earlier were not LA County residents. As of today, 4,319 people who tested positive for COVID-19 (23% of positive cases) have been hospitalized at some point during their illness. Testing capacity continues to increase in LA County, with testing results available for almost 114,000 individuals and 15% of people testing positive.

Public Health reminds everyone to take precautions to avoid heat-related illness, especially older adults, young children, outdoor workers, athletes, and people with a chronic medical condition who are especially sensitive to negative health impacts from extreme heat. Public Health offers the following recommendations during high temperature days:

• Drink plenty of water and keep hydrated throughout the day.
• If you must go out, plan your day to avoid going out during the hottest hours, and wear sunscreen. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothes, and bring a hat or umbrella with you.
• Cars get very hot. Never leave children or pets in cars and call 911 if you see a child or pet in a car alone.
• Beware of heat-related illness, like heat stroke and call 911 if you see these symptoms: high body temperature, vomiting, and pale and clammy skin.
• Check on those at risk, like those who are sick, older adults, pregnant women, and children.
• Avoid strenuous work outs wearing face coverings or masks not intended for athletic purposes; this means avoiding contact with others while you work out.

Emergency Cooling Centers are open from noon – 6:00 p.m. today for those in need. The centers are safe, free of charge and visitors must wear a face covering at all times and practice physical distancing. To find a location near you, visit http://ready.lacounty.gov/heat or call 211.

“For those who are grieving loved ones lost to COVID-19, please know you are in our thoughts and prayers every day,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “With this weekend’s high temperatures, I encourage everyone to take steps to stay cool while still practicing physical distancing and adhering to Safer at Home directives. This past week in LA County, we doubled the number of deaths from COVID-19 and diagnosed more than 7000 new cases.  Because we are still seeing a significant increase in new cases and deaths, we ask that you continue to stay home as much as possible.  Enjoy the outdoors safely by taking walks by yourself or with your household members near your home and always remaining at least 6 feet apart from others. Public pools and all beaches remain closed for your wellbeing and the health of those most vulnerable for serious illness and death from COVID-19. Continue to do your part and save lives.  This is how we get to the other side of the outbreak and begin our recovery. “

A new Health Officer Order issued yesterday for all licensed congregate healthcare facilities includes measures intended to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in these facilities and to protect vulnerable residents, as well as staff.  The measures include restricting all visitors, suspending all communal dining and activities to ensure physical distancing, and testing for all employees and residents. Staff will be required to wear surgical masks at all times and personal protective equipment when appropriate. Residents will also need to wear surgical masks or cloth face coverings when they are outside of their personal room.

Public Health reminds everyone that if you are ill, even with mild symptoms, please self- isolate at home for 7 days and until you are fever and symptom free for 72 hours. If you have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 or is presumed to be infected with COVID-19, you must quarantine for 14 days from your last contact with that individual. Individuals who are elderly or who have underlying health conditions may be at higher risk of serious illness and should contact their doctor as soon as they are sick. The best protection against COVID-19 is to wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, self-isolate if you are sick, practice physical distancing (especially by staying at home) and wear a clean face covering when in contact with others from outside your household. 

Additional things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your community are on the Public Health website, www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

Please see additional information below:

Total Cases*
Laboratory Confirmed Cases	19107
— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)	18268
— Long Beach	540
— Pasadena	299
Deaths	895
— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)	837
— Long Beach	29
— Pasadena	29
Age Group (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
–  0 to 17	378
–  18 to 40	5914
–  41 to 65	7878
–  over 65	4036
–  Under Investigation	62
Gender (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
–  Female	9083
–  Male	9008
–  Other	5
–  Under Investigation	172
Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
–  American Indian/Alaska Native	12
–  Asian	1194
–  Black	869
–  Hispanic/Latino	4828
–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander	160
–  White	2479
–  Other	878
–  Under Investigation	7848
Hospitalization (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
–  Hospitalized (Ever)	4319
Deaths Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
–  American Indian/Alaska Native	1
–  Asian	149
–  Black	115
–  Hispanic/Latino	301
–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander	11
–  White	233
–  Other	10
–  Under Investigation	17
CITY / COMMUNITY**		Rate***
City of Agoura Hills	29	138.87
City of Alhambra	68	78.41
City of Arcadia	34	58.87
City of Artesia	13	77.4
City of Avalon	0	0
City of Azusa	48	95.92
City of Baldwin Park	70	91.18
City of Bell	116	319.28
City of Bell Gardens	82	190.38
City of Bellflower	104	133.79
City of Beverly Hills	103	298.38
City of Bradbury	1	93.55
City of Burbank	208	194.07
City of Calabasas	34	139.79
City of Carson	210	223.77
City of Cerritos	47	93.87
City of Claremont	22	60.3
City of Commerce	10	76.52
City of Compton	173	173.17
City of Covina	82	167.24
City of Cudahy	55	225.9
City of Culver City	56	140.47
City of Diamond Bar	33	57.38
City of Downey	182	159.28
City of Duarte	47	213.48
City of El Monte	120	102.33
City of El Segundo	27	160.85
City of Gardena	134	218.56
City of Glendale	469	227.13
City of Glendora	39	73.91
City of Hawaiian Gardens	9	61.32
City of Hawthorne	154	173.45
City of Hermosa Beach	23	116.93
City of Hidden Hills	0	0
City of Huntington Park	119	200.05
City of Industry	1	228.83
City of Inglewood	267	235.07
City of Irwindale	2	137.08
City of La Canada Flintridge	38	183.64
City of La Habra Heights	2	36.66
City of La Mirada	46	92.74
City of La Puente	33	81.09
City of La Verne	16	48.07
City of Lakewood	73	90.84
City of Lancaster	246	152.26
City of Lawndale	50	148.75
City of Lomita	32	154.37
City of Lynwood	155	215.14
City of Malibu	28	216.03
City of Manhattan Beach	64	177.78
City of Maywood	52	185.39
City of Monrovia	35	90.21
City of Montebello	109	169.32
City of Monterey Park	63	101.19
City of Norwalk	163	151.46
City of Palmdale	346	217.65
City of Palos Verdes Estates	37	273.63
City of Paramount	113	201.7
City of Pico Rivera	133	206.89
City of Pomona	131	84.01
City of Rancho Palos Verdes	51	119.31
City of Redondo Beach	98	142.66
City of Rolling Hills	1	51.55
City of Rolling Hills Estates	13	160.24
City of Rosemead	28	50.59
City of San Dimas	25	72.43
City of San Fernando	67	272.22
City of San Gabriel	27	65.93
City of San Marino	11	82.85
City of Santa Clarita	304	137.92
City of Santa Fe Springs	16	87.13
City of Santa Monica	149	161.18
City of Sierra Madre	5	45.5
City of Signal Hill	6	50.86
City of South El Monte	13	62.25
City of South Gate	209	212.93
City of South Pasadena	59	226.46
City of Temple City	45	123.44
City of Torrance	233	156.1
City of Vernon	0	0
City of Walnut	22	72.06
City of West Covina	104	96.09
City of West Hollywood	130	351.82
City of Westlake Village	6	71.77
City of Whittier	95	108.66
Los Angeles	8695	214.98
Los Angeles – Adams-Normandie	22	268.23
Los Angeles – Alsace	25	200.88
Los Angeles – Angeles National Forest	0	0
Los Angeles – Angelino Heights	6	239.81
Los Angeles – Arleta	76	221.12
Los Angeles – Atwater Village	21	143.19
Los Angeles – Baldwin Hills	50	160.64
Los Angeles – Bel Air	28	332.19
Los Angeles – Beverly Crest	31	247.5
Los Angeles – Beverlywood	30	227.74
Los Angeles – Boyle Heights	154	177.25
Los Angeles – Brentwood	63	203.52
Los Angeles – Brookside	0	0
Los Angeles – Cadillac-Corning	15	210.64
Los Angeles – Canoga Park	197	301.74
Los Angeles – Carthay	59	410.78
Los Angeles – Central	93	238.51
Los Angeles – Century City	30	234.52
Los Angeles – Century Palms/Cove	69	204.35
Los Angeles – Chatsworth	68	183.48
Los Angeles – Cheviot Hills	16	174.46
Los Angeles – Chinatown	8	99.74
Los Angeles – Cloverdale/Cochran	30	206.14
Los Angeles – Country Club Park	53	349.77
Los Angeles – Crenshaw District	44	318.17
Los Angeles – Crestview	59	519
Los Angeles – Del Rey	45	150.32
Los Angeles – Downtown	49	178.14
Los Angeles – Eagle Rock	76	191.97
Los Angeles – East Hollywood	105	358.52
Los Angeles – Echo Park	17	119.25
Los Angeles – El Sereno	78	186.57
Los Angeles – Elysian Park	9	157.56
Los Angeles – Elysian Valley	18	176.97
Los Angeles – Encino	76	168.25
Los Angeles – Exposition	2	60.13
Los Angeles – Exposition Park	105	233.76
Los Angeles – Faircrest Heights	2	55.56
Los Angeles – Figueroa Park Square	19	217.86
Los Angeles – Florence-Firestone	101	212.88
Los Angeles – Glassell Park	96	303.76
Los Angeles – Gramercy Place	24	222.97
Los Angeles – Granada Hills	100	171.85
Los Angeles – Green Meadows	49	227.85
Los Angeles – Hancock Park	60	352.13
Los Angeles – Harbor City	39	134.16
Los Angeles – Harbor Gateway	55	126.15
Los Angeles – Harbor Pines	0	0
Los Angeles – Harvard Heights	45	249.51
Los Angeles – Harvard Park	99	260.97
Los Angeles – Highland Park	69	142.59
Los Angeles – Historic Filipinotown	51	367.7
Los Angeles – Hollywood	176	257.86
Los Angeles – Hollywood Hills	56	190.26
Los Angeles – Hyde Park	47	164.68
Los Angeles – Jefferson Park	15	185.8
Los Angeles – Koreatown	114	220.53
Los Angeles – Lafayette Square	11	241.28
Los Angeles – Lake Balboa	61	144.53
Los Angeles – Lakeview Terrace	43	327.42
Los Angeles – Leimert Park	29	190.35
Los Angeles – Lincoln Heights	52	159.52
Los Angeles – Little Armenia	77	959.5
Los Angeles – Little Bangladesh	61	215.22
Los Angeles – Little Tokyo	5	159.59
Los Angeles – Longwood	12	278.81
Los Angeles – Los Feliz	31	143.47
Los Angeles – Manchester Square	11	128.87
Los Angeles – Mandeville Canyon	1	32.01
Los Angeles – Mar Vista	50	117.73
Los Angeles – Marina Peninsula	9	206.42
Los Angeles – Melrose	300	386.12
Los Angeles – Mid-city	35	232.87
Los Angeles – Miracle Mile	36	200.17
Los Angeles – Mission Hills	59	244.57
Los Angeles – Mt. Washington	33	136.67
Los Angeles – North Hills	120	194.88
Los Angeles – North Hollywood	274	180.95
Los Angeles – Northridge	131	187.69
Los Angeles – Pacific Palisades	36	169.09
Los Angeles – Pacoima	181	235.13
Los Angeles – Palisades Highlands	3	78
Los Angeles – Palms	93	211.96
Los Angeles – Panorama City	202	268.44
Los Angeles – Park La Brea	11	81
Los Angeles – Pico-Union	155	370.44
Los Angeles – Playa Del Rey	1	31.29
Los Angeles – Playa Vista	16	146.16
Los Angeles – Porter Ranch	48	134.88
Los Angeles – Rancho Park	11	167.68
Los Angeles – Regent Square	1	35.97
Los Angeles – Reseda	160	208.83
Los Angeles – Reseda Ranch	17	366.7
Los Angeles – Reynier Village	7	165.56
Los Angeles – San Pedro	143	183.24
Los Angeles – Shadow Hills	11	247.64
Los Angeles – Sherman Oaks	116	132.95
Los Angeles – Silverlake	104	235.92
Los Angeles – South Carthay	22	207.65
Los Angeles – South Park	94	247.62
Los Angeles – St Elmo Village	9	196.34
Los Angeles – Studio City	32	142.6
Los Angeles – Sun Valley	91	173.39
Los Angeles – Sunland	62	303.8
Los Angeles – Sycamore Square	0	0
Los Angeles – Sylmar	258	313.11
Los Angeles – Tarzana	69	223.47
Los Angeles – Temple-Beaudry	129	326.73
Los Angeles – Thai Town	12	122.34
Los Angeles – Toluca Lake	9	103.4
Los Angeles – Toluca Terrace	1	76.57
Los Angeles – Toluca Woods	3	161.46
Los Angeles – Tujunga	51	183.39
Los Angeles – University Hills	4	116.65
Los Angeles – University Park	64	233.1
Los Angeles – Valley Glen	74	246.54
Los Angeles – Valley Village	75	303.4
Los Angeles – Van Nuys	231	247.87
Los Angeles – Venice	42	123.95
Los Angeles – Vermont Knolls	47	273.26
Los Angeles – Vermont Square	34	444.04
Los Angeles – Vermont Vista	87	211.24
Los Angeles – Vernon Central	140	269.24
Los Angeles – Victoria Park	30	357.19
Los Angeles – View Heights	7	189.5
Los Angeles – Watts	76	178.09
Los Angeles – Wellington Square	9	183.11
Los Angeles – West Adams	94	340.21
Los Angeles – West Hills	45	110.99
Los Angeles – West Los Angeles	51	135.51
Los Angeles – West Vernon	158	294.53
Los Angeles – Westchester	58	112.4
Los Angeles – Westlake	204	343.69
Los Angeles – Westwood	43	79.47
Los Angeles – Wholesale District	59	163.3
Los Angeles – Wilmington	73	129.23
Los Angeles – Wilshire Center	90	179.39
Los Angeles – Winnetka	118	227.86
Los Angeles – Woodland Hills	102	149.88
Unincorporated – Acton	8	100.36
Unincorporated – Agua Dulce	1	24.05
Unincorporated – Altadena	59	135.26
Unincorporated – Anaverde	1	66.31
Unincorporated – Angeles National Forest	1	80.32
Unincorporated – Arcadia	4	50.12
Unincorporated – Athens-Westmont	83	195.56
Unincorporated – Athens Village	13	265.47
Unincorporated – Avocado Heights	12	177.12
Unincorporated – Azusa	14	87.92
Unincorporated – Bandini Islands	0	NA
Unincorporated – Bassett	25	168.73
Unincorporated – Bouquet Canyon	0	0
Unincorporated – Bradbury	0	0
Unincorporated – Canyon Country	21	271.74
Unincorporated – Castaic	18	66.2
Unincorporated – Cerritos	0	0
Unincorporated – Charter Oak	0	0
Unincorporated – Claremont	0	0
Unincorporated – Covina	19	112.97
Unincorporated – Covina (Charter Oak)	13	98.9
Unincorporated – Del Aire	6	136.58
Unincorporated – Del Rey	0	0
Unincorporated – Del Sur	3	124.22
Unincorporated – Desert View Highlands	2	80.22
Unincorporated – Duarte	6	135.5
Unincorporated – East Covina	0	0
Unincorporated – East La Mirada	7	132.28
Unincorporated – East Lancaster	0	0
Unincorporated – East Los Angeles	307	245.07
Unincorporated – East Pasadena	0	0
Unincorporated – East Rancho Dominguez	17	111.05
Unincorporated – East Whittier	4	75.39
Unincorporated – El Camino Village	6	68.25
Unincorporated – El Monte	0	0
Unincorporated – Elizabeth Lake	0	0
Unincorporated – Florence-Firestone	148	228.73
Unincorporated – Franklin Canyon	0	0
Unincorporated – Glendora	1	151.52
Unincorporated – Hacienda Heights	45	80.46
Unincorporated – Harbor Gateway	0	0
Unincorporated – Hawthorne	3	119.33
Unincorporated – Hi Vista	0	0
Unincorporated – Kagel/Lopez Canyons	1	70.82
Unincorporated – La Crescenta-Montrose	16	80.8
Unincorporated – La Habra Heights	0	0
Unincorporated – La Rambla	6	289.16
Unincorporated – La Verne	1	49.02
Unincorporated – Ladera Heights	15	212.13
Unincorporated – Lake Hughes	0	0
Unincorporated – Lake Los Angeles	15	115.44
Unincorporated – Lake Manor	2	121.73
Unincorporated – Lakewood	0	0
Unincorporated – Lennox	35	155.27
Unincorporated – Leona Valley	1	57.11
Unincorporated – Littlerock	4	99.48
Unincorporated – Littlerock/Juniper Hills	1	77.1
Unincorporated – Littlerock/Pearblossom	6	168.11
Unincorporated – Llano	1	114.03
Unincorporated – Lynwood	0	NA
Unincorporated – Marina del Rey	11	116.88
Unincorporated – Miracle Mile	0	0
Unincorporated – Monrovia	5	128.83
Unincorporated – Newhall	0	0
Unincorporated – North Lancaster	0	0
Unincorporated – North Whittier	6	71.77
Unincorporated – Northeast San Gabriel	13	54.09
Unincorporated – Palmdale	2	237.53
Unincorporated – Palos Verdes Peninsula	0	0
Unincorporated – Pearblossom/Llano	2	102.25
Unincorporated – Pellissier Village	0	0
Unincorporated – Placerita Canyon	0	0
Unincorporated – Pomona	0	0
Unincorporated – Quartz Hill	25	193.71
Unincorporated – Rancho Dominguez	10	375.8
Unincorporated – Roosevelt	0	0
Unincorporated – Rosewood	3	233.28
Unincorporated – Rosewood/East Gardena	0	0
Unincorporated – Rosewood/West Rancho Dominguez	5	148.77
Unincorporated – Rowland Heights	40	78.4
Unincorporated – San Clemente Island	0	0
Unincorporated – San Francisquito Canyon/Bouquet Canyon	0	0
Unincorporated – San Jose Hills	16	79.13
Unincorporated – San Pasqual	0	0
Unincorporated – Sand Canyon	0	0
Unincorporated – Santa Catalina Island	2	749.06
Unincorporated – Santa Monica Mountains	9	48.33
Unincorporated – Saugus	2	1290.32
Unincorporated – Saugus/Canyon Country	0	0
Unincorporated – South Antelope Valley	0	0
Unincorporated – South Edwards	0	NA
Unincorporated – South El Monte	1	55.71
Unincorporated – South San Gabriel	7	79.11
Unincorporated – South Whittier	57	96.25
Unincorporated – Southeast Antelope Valley	0	0
Unincorporated – Stevenson Ranch	16	76.31
Unincorporated – Sun Village	4	66.27
Unincorporated – Sunrise Village	1	77.16
Unincorporated – Twin Lakes/Oat Mountain	4	241.25
Unincorporated – Universal City	0	NA
Unincorporated – Val Verde	4	120.88
Unincorporated – Valencia	4	130.21
Unincorporated – Valinda	26	111.25
Unincorporated – View Park/Windsor Hills	22	189.08
Unincorporated – Walnut	0	NA
Unincorporated – Walnut Park	39	241.59
Unincorporated – West Antelope Valley	2	132.36
Unincorporated – West Carson	52	235.44
Unincorporated – West Chatsworth	0	0
Unincorporated – West LA	19	1995.8
Unincorporated – West Puente Valley	10	101.68
Unincorporated – West Rancho Dominguez	2	147.17
Unincorporated – West Whittier/Los Nietos	29	107.71
Unincorporated – Westfield/Academy Hills	0	0
Unincorporated – Westhills	0	0
Unincorporated – White Fence Farms	2	54.3
Unincorporated – Whittier	3	79.28
Unincorporated – Whittier Narrows	0	0
Unincorporated – Willowbrook	41	117.43
Unincorporated – Wiseburn	4	66.37
–  Under Investigation	1286

 *These numbers are subject to change based on further investigation. Seventeen previously reported cases and one death were not in Public Health’s jurisdiction.

**– means that case numbers are suppressed (between 1 and 4 cases in communities <25,000 people).

***Rate is crude and is per 100,000. This represents the number of cases per 100,000 people and allows for the proportional comparison of cities of different sizes.

Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus:

• Los Angeles County Department of Public Health: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/
• California Department of Public Health: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/nCOV2019.aspx
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

      Spanish https://espanol.cdc.gov/enes/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

• World Health Organization https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
• LA County residents can also call 2-1-1

The National Council on Aging (NCOA), a trusted national leader working to ensure that every person can age well, is warning that the financial hardships created by the COVID-19 pandemic will push between 1.4 and 2.1 million more older Americans into poverty, and older adults with the least wealth will be the hardest hit.

That is the sobering conclusion of a recently published NCOA and LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston issue brief that looks at historical data from the 2008 recession and applies those findings to today’s economic and public health crisis.

“Recent history shows us that older adults suffer significant declines in net wealth during large and unanticipated economic downturns,” said Dr. Susan Silberman, NCOA Senior Director, Research & Evaluation. “A case in point is the Great Recession that began with the collapse of financial markets in 2008. A common trend seen across those aged 60 and older, regardless of age group or retirement status, was a decrease in total net wealth and taking on greater debt during times of recession.”

The issue brief also found that retired older adults were better able to weather the financial storm thanks in part to retirement benefits and Medicare. These findings underscore the importance of a societal safety net for older adults during times of economic upheaval.

Although the analysis focused on the potential financial risks to older adults during an impending recession, COVID-19 adds a health component that will likely have devastating consequences for this age demographic on top of any economic impacts.

“We know that health vulnerability and financial vulnerability overlap, which makes it crucial to consider how both of these factors will intersect for our nation’s older adults,” Silberman said. “Taking into account both the economic effects of a recession and the heightened health risk to our older citizens will be vital for navigating the impact of COVID-19 during this time of uncertainty.”

The full issue brief, Economic Insecurity for Older Adults in the Presence of the COVID-19 Pandemic, is available for download.

CNBC—- Another 4.3 million workers are expected to have filed state unemployment claims last week, bringing the total number seeking benefits to over 26 million since states started shutting down in the second half of March to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The number of jobs lost rose to 22.025 million over the prior four weeks, erasing nearly all of the 22.442 million jobs recovered since the Great Recession. During the financial crisis the number of jobs lost totaled 8.7 million.

“The pace of losses is slowing, but the pain is compounding,” said Diane Swonk, chief economist at Grant Thornton.

Economists are closely watching Thursday claims data, expected at 8:30 a.m. ET, because it is for the week ending April 18, the same week the government conducted its survey for the monthly employment. Claims in the previous week  totaled 5.245 million, and it was the fourth week of claims filings in the multiple millions.

“It’s a critical week because it gives us the best real-time picture of what the job losses will be in April, which will be the worst month of the recession and the worst month ever,” Swonk said. Swonk said because of the government’s methodology and the furloughed status of some workers, the total number of nonfarm payrolls lost in April is not likely to be as high as the claims, but it will still be shockingly high.

Economists also say the unemployment rate could be 15% or more in April. Claims data has provided insight into what happened as the economy closed down, first with restaurant workers, retail employees and other service workers. The layoffs then also hit manufacturing and now they are expected to have broadened out even further. The filings of claims are also expected to have been delayed because of the sheer volume of the sudden layoffs overburdening state unemployment processors.

So far, Michigan and Pennsylvania appeared to be hardest hit, with more than 20% of workers filing claims.

Rhea Thomas, Wilmington Trust economist said the weekly claims report should also confirm that the filings probably peaked, when they surged to 6.615 million in the week ended April 4.

“I still think it could be in the millions next week, but I think the trend could be declining,” she said. “I still think some of the layoffs are still in the process of happening … It does feel like we’re going to have a couple of months of disruption.”

Thomas said the government’s Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses could encourage hiring as companies begin to get funds, and rehiring should pick in the next couple of weeks. 

On Wednesday, April 22, the Joint Center hosted an online briefing with Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor Bobby Scott (D-VA) on education and workforce priorities for Black communities in future stimulus legislation. The conference explored the exacerbated disparities faced by Black communities and the need for a stimulus package that advances equity for Black workers, businesses, and student success.

The expert respondents included:

• The Education Trust President and CEO & Former Secretary of Education John King

• National Urban League Senior Vice President for Policy & Advocacy and Executive Director of the Washington Bureau Clint Odom

• National Education Association Vice President Becky Pringle

• National Black Worker Center Project Executive Director Tanya Wallace-Gobern

• Joint Center Vice President Jessica Fulton (moderator)

Read their summary of the briefing here.

Stay up-to-date on the Joint Center’s work on COVID-19 and Black communities here.

By Donnell Williams and Antoine M. Thompson

Two weeks ago, Congress passed phase three of its COVID-19 response, the CARES ACT, a $2 trillion stimulus package that has become most well-known for its direct payments of up to $1,200 for many Americans. These payments are a much-appreciated addition to the already enacted policies like the delayed tax deadline, deferred interest on student loan payments, updated paid sick leave policies, and other actions taken to ease the impact the pandemic is causing.

One of the policies that the media has largely neglected to cover is the impact of widespread forbearance – the term for when a mortgage servicer allows homeowners to temporarily pay at a lower rate or pause payments. During the current crisis, forbearance will serve as a significant relief for many middle and low-income families. The typical mortgage can add up to nearly 30 percent of the average American family’s income, and with many individuals temporarily out of work and impacted by COVID-19, forbearance allows those funds to be reallocated to immediate life-sustaining expenses like meals and medications.

Home ownership has long been a quintessential element of the American Dream. It is more than a place to live. It is a tangible path to the middle class – and arguably the greatest investment an individual can make. Furthermore, expanding access to home ownership is key to closing the gap between socioeconomic classes, providing new economic opportunities for families, and laying the foundation for success for aspiring homeowners.

However, an often unknown part of forbearance is that although homeowners around the country are receiving much needed relief, lenders and servicers are still obligated to pay principal, interest, taxes, and insurance, on the homeowner’s behalf. Given the nature of their business, this is potentially fatal for non-bank lenders.

Non-depository mortgage servicers have limited liquidity access. And depending on the duration of the crisis at hand, non-bank servicers will not have the liquidity to advance mortgage payments at the high rate that will be necessary. This presents a challenge, considering more than half of all mortgages in recent years came from non-depository lending institutions-including larger parts of loans made to low-income families. If a solution for non-bank mortgage lenders is not found, we could backtrack on nearly a decade of housing gains and relief efforts, and require further government intervention to prevent a mortgage crisis that could mirror the events of 2008.

Now that the CARES ACT has been signed into law, it is important that regulators take the opportunity to clarify forbearance policy to not only provide needed economic relief to impacted homeowners, but also lay out guidelines for mortgage lenders to navigate this unprecedented challenge.

Unfortunately, policymakers failed to provide lenders and servicers with access to the necessary liquidity in the CARES ACT and puts the issue in the hands of regulators. Hours after Congress’ omission of liquidity to non-depository servicers, Ginnie Mae announced plans to provide liquidity in the market for servicers within the next two weeks. While this is a step in the right direction, regulators must provide additional guidance to protect lower-income Americans and allow servicers to prepare for the coming months.

Servicers open the door for homeownership for many American families. These institutions play a key role in market diversification and provide new opportunities for a diverse group of borrowers.  It is essential that regulators and Congress work to ensure that non-bank lenders and servicers receive the necessary protections and have access to needed liquidity, allowing them to continue the important role they play in helping families realize the dream of homeownership.

Donnell Williams is president and Antoine M. Thompson is national executive director of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB).