Mayor Eric Garcetti joined actor and activist Anthony Anderson to record a public service announcement (PSA) reminding Angelenos how to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19. Speaking from Nickerson Gardens in South L.A., the message highlights the disproportionate impact of this crisis on communities of color and the importance of Angelenos getting tested, staying safe, and doing their part to stop the spread of this virus.
“There can be no doubt that COVID-19 has hit communities of color the hardest — and that fact demands our attention and action,” said Garcetti. “We have the tools to beat back this virus and prevent the spread, and I’m proud to stand with Anthony Anderson to make clear what we all need to do: get tested, wear a mask, wash your hands, and keep your physical distance.”
The PSA focuses on the actions every Angeleno should take to contain COVID-19 and help bend the curve. On top of testing, masks, physical distancing, and smart hygiene, the mayor and Anderson emphasized the need to self-isolate until you receive your test results and respond to calls from contact tracers. Individuals who receive a positive test and have questions are encouraged to call L.A. County’s COVID-19 Case Infoline at (833) 540-0473, which is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
“I think it’s important we all get tested in particular the Black and Brown communities since COVID-19 is affecting us at a disproportionate rate,” said Anderson. “I was happy to be able to help with testing at Nickerson Gardens with Mayor Garcetti since it was where I spent the first five years with my grandmother and my mother and it’s a special place to me.”
The PSA was recorded last week at Nickerson Gardens, during one of many mobile testing events operated by the City of Los Angeles Fire Department, the non-profit organization Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE), and the Curative-Korva lab. This public-private partnership has enabled the city to test more than 950,000 Angelenos since launching its free testing program in March.
The city has placed equity and access at the heart of its testing efforts, deployed mobile services to public housing developments, and neighborhoods with the greatest need and highest risk of outbreaks, including the Garment District, Westlake/Pico Union, South and East Los Angeles, and Van Nuys. The largest free testing sites across Los Angeles are located at the Crenshaw Christian Center, Dodger Stadium, and in Sylmar and Boyle Heights, and hundreds of city employees have joined the County’s contact tracing initiative.
Tests at city sites are available for Angelenos with or without symptoms, with priority given to those who have been exposed to someone who has tested positive, or who work in a high-risk environment, or have symptoms. Angelenos are encouraged to visit the City’s testing https://corona-virus.la/covid-19-testing, which provides information on the more than 100 testing locations.
