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County officials reported 76 new deaths on Tuesday, but as those grim numbers were coming in county officials were discussing reopening businesses, including restaurants, on July 4.
In total health officials have reported a total of 39,573 cases and 1,913 deaths.
“Each day, as we share this information with you, we know there are people across our community who have suffered tremendous loss. For those of you mourning the passing of a loved one, we wish you healing and peace,” said Barbara Ferrer, Director of Public Health in LA County. “As we continue to reopen more places and spaces in the weeks ahead, we will need to use the tools of physical distancing and wearing cloth face coverings to continue to slow the spread. We don’t yet have a vaccine but we do have each other. Each of us has the power to protect another person.”
July 4 is a major holiday for parties and barbecues, and a big travel holiday. If the number of travelers and partygoers meets the typical amount, the county could make millions of dollars.
“The economic and sociological impacts created by the COVID-19 shutdown have hurt our vulnerable populations the most,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger in a prepared statement. “The county, in partnership with our task force members and key stakeholders, is prepared to move forward with recommendations that ensure the safety and well-being of employees and customers while safeguarding public health.”
The announcement comes after an Economic Resiliency Task Force meeting chaired by Barger, who represents Pasadena.
At the meeting business leaders spoke about how the Coronavirus pandemic has affected multiple industries.
The announcement comes as cities around the state have been working to move into an economic recovery phase.
On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom laid out early guidance for much of the state to move into further reopening in the coming weeks, including hair salons and even sporting events. Newsom is relaxing some of its criteria, which could allow restaurants to reopen their dining rooms and hair salons owners once against opening their doors.
The criteria applies to counties that want to reopen faster than the state. While retail may open for curbside pickup statewide, restrictions on dining in at restaurants and other services are still in place statewide. Newsom estimated 53 of 58 counties could meet the new criteria.
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