Los Angeles County has become one of the hot spots during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing the need for personal protective equipment for many, including those working in shelters and other interim housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. These individuals are often unable to adhere to the social distancing guidelines in crowded shelters, which puts them at greater risk of becoming infected. That risk is present for anyone who comes into contact with them.
L.A. County’s Department of Health Services formed seven COVID-19 Response Teams to provide training and technical assistance to staff at shelters and other interim housing sites across the county. L.A. Care has awarded a $75,000 grant to our community partner Brilliant Corners to purchase N95 respirators, surgical masks, cloth face masks, face shields, gloves, hand sanitizer and other personal protective items for the response team members.
In early August, L.A. County was reporting more than 200,000 confirmed cases of infections and close to 5,000 deaths. Nearly 1,200 individuals experiencing homelessness have tested positive for coronavirus. L.A. Care wants to ensure that response team members who are trying to help individuals experiencing homelessness don’t expose themselves if at all possible. The grant funding will help them safely provide technical assistance on social distancing, screening, testing protocols and infection control to staff at shelters.