Caring for our Communities and Confronting the COVID-19 Crisis

By Supervisor Kathryn Barger Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

We did not need a crisis to prove that our L.A. County employees are incredible, but in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, every member of the county family has shown their true commitment to selflessness and teamwork. Everyone has taken the “Safer at Home” public health guidelines seriously and made protecting their family, friends, and neighbors a priority. Staying home for everyone’s well-being was an act of sincere kindness.

Each member of our county staff has been at the heart of our COVID-19 response. Employees have kept our logistical operations running, housed those experiencing homelessness, provided mental health resources, supported seniors, equipped children, and uplifted businesses. They’ve adapted on the fly and found solutions to difficult problems, truly going above and beyond.

We knew the status quo was untenable.

By foregoing visits to our favorite local landmarks, wearing face coverings, and engaging with loved ones from a distance, every resident has protected those who were most vulnerable to contracting the virus and becoming dangerously ill. We knew the status quo was untenable. If Public Health didn’t take drastic measures, we would have seen a huge surge in cases and massive overcrowding in our hospitals. Because L.A. County acted quickly and residents took guidance seriously, we avoided a dramatic uptick. By all accounts, we have kept the case load low, prevented our healthcare system from being overwhelmed, and are moving into recovery.

Los Angeles County has vastly expanded access to testing, made medical care available, and guided quarantine efforts all to protect the public. I am extremely grateful for the tireless work of L.A. County employees during this difficult time. Our employees’ commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of L.A. County is inspiring.

Caring for residents who are most vulnerable continues to be a priority, particularly those who reside at or work in skilled nursing facilities. Tragically, more than half of the deaths we’ve lost to the coronavirus were in these locations, so it’s critical that we ensure accountability and find solutions. To enhance the protection of these residents, I teamed up with Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas to seek out an Inspector General to oversee skilled nursing facilities across the county.

We have been innovative and relentless in our efforts to support those in need. From grab and go food sites to home delivery, we have worked so that no family in L.A. County is hungry because of this pandemic. On April 24, the Department of Workforce Development Aging and Community Services launched “Great Plates Delivered” in L.A. County, a statewide meal delivery service for older adults. This program helps those at high risk stay home and stay healthy. Through the program, recipients have three nutritious meals a day delivered from local restaurants. This has the added benefit of an essential economic stimulus to businesses struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 crisis. It’s been a win-win! WDACS also created a free pickup and delivery program for older adults and individuals with disabilities. The countywide Critical Delivery Service sends groceries, household items, and other vital necessities at no cost to people who are unable to leave their homes.

The L.A. County Disaster Help Center has been instrumental in helping workers, tenants, landlords, nonprofit organizations, and businesses apply for and receive support. It’s invaluable for people to have a direct line to county employees who can connect them to the services they need in real time.

I’m also proud of the L.A. County Economic Resiliency Task Force, which is made up of all five members of the Board of Supervisors in partnership with leaders representing 13 key industries. Members are tasked with developing actionable recommendations for the County to leverage public-private partnerships. Ultimately, these sector leaders are working to improve the economy, create jobs, and enable our county to return to full employment with appropriate and necessary safety measures in place. Many of these plans are already well underway.

The L.A. County Department of Mental Health has expanded their services so more clinicians are available by phone and text to address the stress, anxiety, and depression individuals may be feeling stemming from the pandemic. The county has also partnered with Headspace, an app that provides tools to help with sleep, meditation, exercise, and mindfulness as residents cope with daily life. After experiencing such profound loss across our communities, both in terms of precious lives and our sense of normalcy, county employees and all our residents deserve easy access to quality mental health care.

Every L.A. County worker has been impacted by COVID-19. From transitioning to a safer working environment to ramping up resources, I have been amazed by everyone’s resilience and drive. In the face of immense challenges and changes, every employee has continued to show up in innovative and effective ways to serve their communities.

Thanks to everyone’s remarkable work to help us move forward, the county recently aligned with the state’s public health guidance and received a variance to move ahead in California’s recovery plan. Recently, this included reopening retail, restaurants, barbershops, and hair salons, which were all long-awaited for our residents. This past week, we’ve also reopened bars and personal care salons, further uplifting local businesses and encouraging a sense of normalcy. We're eager that day camps and recreational camps for youth can resume, which provides opportunities for children to learn, play, and spend time with friends while allowing their parents to return to work with peace of mind. Music, film, and television production are also allowed to resume, which is an important part of the economy in Los Angeles County and will enable many workers to get back on the job. For those looking to return to their fitness routine, gyms and sports training facilities are permitted to reopen. People eager to enjoy the great outdoors can access campgrounds and outdoor recreational spaces. Plus, museums, galleries, zoos, and aquariums can all welcome back patrons for fun, education, and cultural opportunities, which will be especially great as summer starts.

Moving forward, I am confident that our county will emerge from this crisis stronger and better prepared than ever before.

Our efforts are concentrated on simultaneously improving the health of our residents and the economy while being mindful of those most impacted by the pandemic. The decisions to reopen were made with thought and care, allowing small businesses to get back on their feet while providing protections to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. We are confident that with distancing measures and face coverings maintained as common practices, we can keep the positive test rate at eight percent or below and make sure our hospitals don't become overwhelmed.

Moving forward, I am confident that our county will emerge from this crisis stronger and better prepared than ever before. We are on the road to recovery and there is light at the end of the tunnel. I know that by working collaboratively, we can reunite and revitalize Los Angeles County together.

The progress we have made thus far would not be possible without the Herculean efforts of our county employees. Thank you for being willing and adaptable to serve when you’ve been needed most. Your ability to find hope and choose generosity in the face of difficulties required immense courage. I’m thankful that during this historic time, our L.A. County employees embodied selfless dedication and resilience.

The progress we have made thus far would not be possible without the Herculean efforts of our county employees.

For the latest updates, visit my website at kathrynbarger.lacounty.gov or follow me on social media.