Stimulus Package Pay Day is Near, While Angelenos are Called to Wear Masks

Afternoon rush hour traffic on the 405 Freeway in West Los Angeles, Calif., on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Satellite imagery has shown a significant drop in automobile emissions since California became the first state in the country to put out a stay-at-home order for all non-essential business. (Michael Goldsmith / The Corsair)

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases of the world surpassed one million this week according to the Worldometer, while the U.S. remained in first place with a growing number of 300 thousand cases and more than nine thousand fatalities.

“We are fighting the Coronavirus on every possible front—and we will achieve total victory with the help of the American people,” the White House tweeted on April 1.

President Donald Trump had expressed the desire to cut closures short, saying, “our country wasn’t built to be shut down,” at a White House Briefing on March 24. Just a few days later, the nationwide guidelines to contain the COVID-19 spread were extended and President Trump tweeted “30 DAYS TO SLOW THE SPREAD.”

“The reasons for worry that are most obvious relate to devastating tolls on human life we are witnessing—especially the loss of life—locally and around the globe," according to President of Santa Monica College (SMC), Dr. Kathryn Jeffery.

SMC student Brad Villacis, Computer Science Major, said, “as this pandemic continues to worsen, I feel myself becoming more and more cautious. My mother is at high risk, and my priority is keeping her and myself safe.”

WHO Urges Countries to Support Public Health and Warns Against Early Cancellation of Cautionary Measures

During the World Health Organization’s (WHO) virtual media briefing from Geneva on April 3, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that an early withdrawal from containment measures may result to the virus' resurgence and the “economic impact could be even more severe and prolonged.”

All countries during WHO’s media brief were called to fully fund their essential public health procedures, such as case finding, testing, contact tracing, collecting data and communication and information campaigns. They were also urged to invest upon building stronger foundations of health systems, in order for health employees to get paid their wages and to acquire “a reliable supply of funding to purchase essential medical supplies.”

“This is an epic situation that I sincerely hope will not reoccur,” said Dr. Jeffery. “Most people have not experienced a pandemic, so this once-in-a-lifetime public health threat has shown variables shifting daily.”

The concern increases as COVID-19 cases that the healthcare system endures rise and the danger it presents to doctors, nurses, healthcare professionals, first responders, and caregivers, altering the everyday norm.

"My summer internships were cancelled, and each [internship] would've greatly improved my professional and personal experiences. Their cancellations along with working and studying from home have made me feel less productive," said Villacis.

“Teens all over the state are being forced to stay home, which we are doing, but we are going crazy,” said SMC student Nasim Rezai, Pre-Law Major, “We miss our spouses, friends, and just doing things outside of our house. I know for a fact, we will never take life for granted anymore.”

A street vendor sells face masks to drivers and pedestrians without protection on the intersection in front of The Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, Calif. on March 28, 2020. N95 and medical surgical face masks have become a high demand item during the coronavirus pandemic, with most stores sold out within the first few hours of operation. (Anthony Mayen / The Corsair)

California Expands Telehealth Services and Angelenenos Advised to Wear Masks

By April 3, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued another executive order expanding health services via video chat for routine and non-emergency medical appointments. Through the use of telehealth services, health care facilities and providers will be able to “maximize the number of capable health care workers," while protect them from COVID-19 and ensure continuity.

California has increased to more than 12 thousand confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to Governor Newsom’s tweet on April 4, as “2,300 of those who have tested positive are in our hospitals. 1,008 of those patients are in the ICU."

Angelenos were urged to wear a mask when Mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted on April 4, “If you must run an errand, please wear a protective face covering — doing so will protect your neighbors and our entire city.”

“In my opinion, during this world, pandemic essentials like masks, gloves etc., that are being demanded to be worn must be free. It will help the families out a lot,” said Rezai.

Service members aboard United States Navy Hospital Ship Mercy arrived at the Port in Los Angeles, California on March 27, 2020. The Navy’s hospital ship will contribute 1,000 hospital beds to free space in hospitals for patients who are COVID-19 positive. (Maxim Elramsisy/The Corsair)

$1200 Pay-day is Nearby, While Unemployment Claims Skyrocket

In Washington on March 30, The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) publicized that they will begin the delivery of the stimulus package payments "in the next three weeks" as of March 30, while “no action is required for most people,” according to the IRS website.

Eligibility varies in accordance to an individual’s yearly income which is set up to $75,000 for singles and up to $150,000 for married couples filing taxes together. The payments will be calculated automatically and, if eligible, individual taxpayers will receive $1,200, couples will total to $2,400 and each minor up to $500.

The IRS will use information from both 2018 and 2019 tax returns in order to distribute the payments directly into the same bank account assigned when filed. Even if an individual was not required to file taxes, they may receive a payment. Individuals can visit the IRS website for further information.

“I think the stimulus package is very helpful,” Villacis said, “but living in LA and seeing how expensive it is, I'm still worried about the people who have lost their jobs or have cut hours to be able to live comfortably.”

The startling 99.4% increase of initial claims for unemployment in the last week of March 28, compared to the previous weeks, has been an unprecedented phenomenon. According to the U.S. Department of Labor news release report, “this is the highest level for insured unemployment since July 6, 2013 when it was 3,079,000.”

Santa Monica Will Shut Down Construction Sites if Not Following COVID-19 Guidelines

The City of Santa Monica increased its local enforcement measures as they follow the Governor’s “Stay at Home” guidelines and the LA County Department of Public Health “Safer at Home Orders.” According to their press release on April 1, “all construction projects must operate in accordance with social distancing and hygiene requirements.”

The requirements were distributed through email at construction sites. Building officers were authorized to issue a "stop work order" at any construction site that violates the county’s requirements.

City Manager and Director of Emergency Services Rick Cole said, “we will shut down projects that put our community at risk by not following physical distancing and hygiene measures,” according to the Santa Monica coronavirus update news release.

“Thankfully our California leaders—Governor, County, and local officials—have been proactive and acted swiftly to mitigate the effects of this pandemic and to help save lives," said Dr. Jeffrey.

Moratoriums on Rent and Water Bills are Enacted

In an effort to provide financial support, Mayor Garcetti halted rent increases, according to the Public Order that was issued on March 30. An emergency moratorium, or suspension, on evictions was enacted in the City of Los Angeles during COVID-19 for tenants that are unable to pay rent due to the pandemic.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) moratorium on water and power shut offs was also extended until the end of the pandemic emergency period. “Residents should pay their utility bills if they are able, but Angelenos should not be concerned about losing water and power as they cope with the effects of the crisis,” according to Mayor Garcetti’s public release.

Managing Director of International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva said in WHO’s media brief that “saving lives and protecting livelihoods often go hand in hand and one cannot go without the other.”