Health

California Divide

Why is the coronavirus deadly for so many black residents of Los Angeles?

When he worked at a hospital in downtown Los Angeles, Dr. Gregory Taylor saw cases that reflected the community where he grew up: a host of underlying health conditions killing black patients.  Taylor, an internist, called those conditions — diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory diseases — “a part of the community fabric” among black residents […]

By Nigel Duara • May 9, 2020

Economy

California sued Uber and Lyft — will it help drivers?

California’s top prosecutor sued Uber and Lyft for classifying drivers as independent contractors, depriving them of employee benefits and wages that are even more essential during the coronavirus pandemic.

By Jackie Botts • May 5, 2020

California Divide

Track us better: Overlooked Pacific Islanders hit hard by coronavirus

For two weeks in March, Dr. Raynald Samoa fought to move air through his lungs. After recovering from COVID-19, the Los Angeles-based diabetes specialist posted videos on Facebook urging others to stay home. His posts resonated with California’s small but tight-knit Pacific Islander community as questions and stories flooded his inbox. One family described the […]

By Jackie Botts • May 5, 2020

California Divide

People in poor areas of L.A. are infected and dying at twice the rate of wealthier neighborhoods

Dalia was working in a clothing factory in South Los Angeles for about five months when the COVID-19 outbreak hit in mid-March. The workload got heavy when the factory started receiving orders to make face masks. Dalia, who was in charge of trimming the masks, sometimes would take extra work home. Like many other undocumented […]

By Jacqueline Garcia • May 4, 2020

California Divide

Billions in coronavirus aid will go to farms. But farmers say it’s not enough to keep them afloat

Ryan Indart says he may have to kill off some of the sheep at his east Clovis ranch this fall. With restaurants shuttered amid the coronavirus pandemic, he has no market for his animals. When a new flock arrives in October, he won’t have enough space in his pasture if his current flock is still […]

By Manuela Tobias • May 2, 2020

Events

Watch: The food supply chain breakdown

The coronavirus has forced the entire world into disarray, but the food industry in particular. With restaurants closing or reshaping business models around slimmed-down take-out menus, the dominoes are starting to fall for the farmers who suddenly have nowhere to take their food. And, at the same time, as more people find themselves out of […]

By CalMatters Staff • May 1, 2020

California Divide

Governor’s promise to immediately feed seniors hasn’t yet delivered

Last week Gov. Newsom announced that eligible seniors throughout California could immediately get three free restaurant meals per day delivered to their door. Yet a week later, not a single meal has been delivered, and tens of thousands of Californians who have tried to sign up have been left disappointed, confused and maybe even hungry. […]

By Jackie Botts • May 1, 2020

Coronavirus

‘What is the state hiding?’ ACLU pushes for more details on coronavirus cases, testing

California has more than 35,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 but understanding precisely who has been tested and treated remains shrouded in mystery — and is key to ensuring equal access, according to advocacy groups seeking more transparency from the Newsom administration. The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California wrote Gov. Gavin Newsom earlier this month […]

By Manuela Tobias • April 22, 2020

California Divide

California could protect stimulus checks from debt collectors. Will Newsom act?

Californians with consumer debt could see their stimulus checks garnished by collectors. Advocates want the state to act but they're still waiting for a response.

By Jackie Botts • April 21, 2020

California Divide

Not enough patients: Health clinics struggle to stay open

Community health clinics that serve some of the region’s most vulnerable residents are struggling with how to keep their doors open while patient visits plummet during the coronavirus shelter-in-place mandate. Statewide, patient visits are down by roughly half across California’s network of community clinics and health centers, leading to tens of millions in lost revenue […]

By Erica Hellerstein • April 20, 2020