Los Angeles to Give the Vaccine Doses to the Vulnerable Regions
In Los Angeles, there are areas that are rendered vulnerable hence prioritized for the Covid19 vaccine. To determine these vulnerable areas, certain factors such as education level, household income, access to transport, and housing status are considered.
At least 40 percent of the vaccine doses will be designated for the neighborhoods that are most vulnerable. The main focus is on ensuring that a considerable percentage of the population is vaccinated such that COVID-19 won’t pose a major issue and the economy of the state will be restored within a limited period.
The majority of the neighborhoods in Los Angeles will gain from this initiative considering more than eight million individuals will be vaccinated. We have already mentioned the criteria used to determine which areas are most vulnerable.
After the vaccination process commences, the state will be in a position to reopen the economy. Schools and businesses will resume normal operations.
Currently, a county can move from one of the restricted areas to other areas depending on different factors. The number of COVID-19 cases has also gone down significantly. The metrics will change with time. In the restricted areas, businesses such as gyms and restaurants are currently open, and they’re offering indoor services, but the capacity is limited.
In the highly affected areas, schools want to have access to new state funding opportunities such that it’ll be possible for the students to learn in person. At least 1.6 million doses have been administered so far, and the main focus is on hitting the two million mark within the shortest time possible.
After administering more than four million doses in the vulnerable areas, the metrics for getting into the areas that are less restrictive will be reviewed. The community health clinics have been mainly serving the vulnerable and low-income individuals in the region. The only issue is that the clinics are yet to get enough doses.
The people eligible for the vaccine are farmworkers, seniors over 65, emergency service workers, and educators. The number of cases and COVID-19 deaths have also reduced significantly.
The officials are working on ensuring the reopening process takes place smoothly, considering there could be a high transmission rate. Still, the main advantage is that a considerable population has already been vaccinated. The main focus has been on the vulnerable areas since the people residing in such regions were at the risk of getting seriously ill.
Factors such as ethnicity and race are not considered when vaccinating people in vulnerable areas considering such regions have a large number of Latinos, Asians, and Blacks.
Los Angeles is set to move forward to the next reopening phase, whereby there will be fewer restrictions. The constraints meant to combat the spread of COVID-19 will not be lifted immediately. The reopening of the economy will ensure movie theatres and restaurants are operational.
How the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Affected Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, a considerable number of patients have died while seeking treatment in crowded hospitals. The medics have also launched a complaint about the lack of enough oxygen canisters. There are many dead bodies, and there is no space left to store them.
More than 10,000 people have died because of the pandemic. The number of deaths in one day is also a cause for alarm. The essential service providers have narrated their ordeal to the Los Angeles times, and it is evident the pandemic has wreaked havoc in an unimaginable manner.
After a COVID-19 patient is admitted, they need a considerable amount of oxygen, considering their respiratory system has been affected significantly by the virus. A critically ill patient will receive more oxygen in a minute compared to a person who is averagely sick. The main issue is that the COVID-19 cases have been overwhelming. Some of the hospitals in Los Angeles also don’t have access to the infrastructure needed to ensure there is enough oxygen to be administered to the COVID-19 patients.
The doctors have been faced with some tough decisions such that they are torn between choosing who should receive medical attention and who should be left out. The main issue is that the number of affected people is larger than the hospitals can manage.
Fortunately, the vaccine has been produced, and a considerable percentage of the population will be vaccinated. As a result, the rate at which the virus has been spreading will go down. Eventually, the economy will open up, and things will get back to normal.
