A view of the rock formations at Arch Rock Trail. The rocks get

Compiled by Diego Chavez-Cadena Beatrice Alcala Photos by

What do you think about President Trump’s handling of the coronavirus?

JAZMIN CABALLERO Major: Radiology

“Oh yeah, there [are] people dying, with a very weak immune system. What exactly is he doing? I don’t even know, so he is not doing very well with the situation.”

CATHERINE MORATAYA Major: Dietetics

“He actually needs to restrict a bit more, seeing the world and social media, countries are discovering more cases of people being contaminated, and although some may say they don’t have it, it really needs to be taken serious because it can really be anywhere right now. Literally, you do not know where people have been, so people need to understand germs can be hanging out anywhere.”

LIONESS KAMARA Major: Music

“I haven’t heard a lot about what [Trump] has to say about it. I think he has been really relaxed considering thousands of people have died in China alone, a lot of people, a lot of lives. Imagining it on a span out of our minds  lling a room with all those dead bodies, it’s a lot. When it does start to a ect us and we start pointing  ngers, we won’t stand in unity to try to  ght it. He’s never really one to be someone to peacefully unite us to tackle the issue, instead he brings a sense of confusion. I never listen to him, I will never be led by such a fool.”

ALBERTO ORTIZ Major: Cinema

“Besides shutting down the airports, I feel the virus is still here. And even when we do see information online, other than articles online and sometimes it is not even correct information. Like Ebola, we just heard it on the news but we don’t know the immensity of the situation a er all the deaths reported years later.”

INK STYLE A VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT

Coronavirus: RESISTANCE ISSUE

Gallagher CONNECTS Highlights from President’s Town Hall Meetings March 16, 2020 Binge watch all three Student Town Hall Meetings at http://www.lacitycollege.edu/resources/updates

· Our team has been meeting to make sure as we go through this process that we’re doing so in an organized and inclusive manner so that we’re considering all aspects of what we need to do. · We are definitely in unchartered territory. None of us have experienced doing anything exactly like this before. And while I’ve been with the District for almost two decades now, in my experience I’ve not seen anything like this happen. · This is new and different and there is no doubt that we will have some hiccups with this and we’ll have a couple of false starts and a couple of things that we have to back up on and then go forward again. We’ll just work together and work through any of the issues that we have and try to do this as smoothly as possible.

· This is a temporary situation. We don’t know how long this will last. But it will be something that will be temporary. It will be with us for weeks or maybe months, but at some point, it will be over, and we’ll be able to resume normalcy. So, what we hope for is throughout this process we have spaces of normalcy that we can all kind of have a little moment of laughter or a good memory that happens for us so that we don’t forget what normal looks like. · What I asked the department chairs to work on their faculty with is to bring all of the classes fully online. The reason for this is we are unsure at this point if we will be able to resume face to face classes or any part of our classes face to face. We may be able to, and if that does occur, that’s great. · I’ve reached out to our non-classroom faculty that is predominantly the librarians and the counselors to offer extra assistance to our students and to our faculty. The librarians will help our faculty with what resources they may need for their classes. They also will be available to help students to get through their classes as they go forward . . . Many of our students are nervous about doing this. We need to help them to realize that we can help them to get through this.

Coronavirus: RESISTANCE ISSUE

Resources to Resist Coronavirus Outbreak

Compiled by Angela Johnson

Coronavirus global pandemic or COVID-19 sucker punched the City of Angels when it infected hundreds of Angelinos and caused Mayor Eric Garcetti to issue the “Safer at Home” emergency order that mandates residents stay at home and most businesses close.  e purpose of the order is to prevent further spread of the deadly virus. Gov. Gavin Newsom projected that 56% of Californians (approximately 25.5 million people) could be infected with the virus over the next two months.

While Los Angeles is on lockdown to protect the health of its residents, life must go on.  e Collegian has assembled a list of resources and services to help LACC students and members of the community locate healthcare and mental health support, food banks, free services and basic resources they need to be safe and healthy at home.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti set up a website devoted to Coronavirus updates and latest developments. https://corona-virus.la/

LAist.com is a website devoted completely to Los Angeles that o ers a comprehensive list of resources and services in its “Your No Panic Guide to the Coronavirus in L.A.” https://laist.com/2020/03/23/coronavirus-covid-los-angeles-help.php  e Los Angeles Times is providing a free news link devoted to Coronavirus/COVID-19, which they update twice daily. https://www.latimes.com/california/coronavirus-everything-to-know-right-now

One Degree is a technology-driven nonpro t organization that helps individuals and families access the resources they need to improve their lives and achieve social and economic mobility.  eir One Degree COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Resource Guide has information about helpful resources throughout L.A. County, particularly Metro, East, South and West Los Angeles. https://about.1degree.org/COVID-19-la-en

FOOD

Uber O ers Discount Trips to LAUSD Grab-AndGo Food Centers—LAUSD schools will remain closed until at least May 1. Uber will give discount trips to families traveling to any of the Los Angeles Uni ed School District’s 64 Grab-and-Go food centers through April 3, in response to the coronavirus outbreak.  e discounts are for 25% of the per-ride cost, up to $10, on UberX and UberXL. Enter the code LAUSD2020 in the payment section of the ride-hailing app, which can be used between 7 a.m. and noon, Monday through Friday. Anyone younger than 18 who uses the discount must be accompanied by an adult.

Food centers list: https://achieve.lausd.net/resources. Uber: https://www.uber.com/

Food Oasis—Food Oasis pantry locater shows all the food pantries in your area and gives directions. https://foodoasis.la/locations/?type=food-pantry

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank—Food Bank locator shows a map of pantries near your residence. https://www.lafoodbank.org/ nd-food/pantry-locator/

California Association of Food Banks— is food bank network works to ensure that vulnerable communities have consistent and safe access to nutritious food.

Food bank locator: http://www.cafoodbanks.org/ COVID-19

Hollywood Food Coalition—Free packaged evening meals are being provided by the Hollywood Food Coalition nightly. No seating available.

Hours: Monday through Sunday 6:15 p.m. – 8 p.m. Location: 5939 Hollywood Blvd. Phone: (323) 462-2032 for more information.

CalFresh Emergency Application—Students and families with low income can access CalFresh bene ts to put healthy and nutritious food on the table. https://www.cdss.ca.gov/food-nutrition/calfresh

My Friends Place o ers to-go meals. Click the following link for information: http://www.myfriendsplace.org. Address: 5850 Hollywood Blvd, LA, CA 90028.

Food Pantry at Blessed Sacrament distributes groceries. Click the following link for information: http://www.blessedsacramenthollywood.org. Address: 6657 Sunset Blvd, LA, CA 90028.

L.A. LGBT Center o ers to-go meals. For more information click the following link: http://www.lalgbtcenter.org Address: 1118 N McCadden Place, LA, CA 90038.

HOUSING/SHELTER

Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department—LAHCID lists housing resources, details about the COVID-19 eviction moratorium and pages for renters, low income residents, special-needs residents and accessible housing. https://hcidla.lacity.org/Homeless-Persons

Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority—LAHSA is a portal to resources if you need shelter, are experiencing a housing crisis, looking for a safe place to sleep in your car at night, need general and/or mental health services and so much more. Additional resource lists have been added in response to Coronavirus/COVID-19.

Phone: 213 225 6581 www.LAHSA.org/get-help https://www.lahsa.org/news?article=678-covid-19-additional-resources https://www.lahsa.org/news?article=676-winter-shelter-program-update-shelter-extensions 211 LA County— e 211 Housing Page is a search engine for housing support, homeless prevention and rental assistance services. https://www.211la.org/housing

EcoBear— is biohazard cleaning company devoted several pages of its website to a comprehensive list of various services and resources for homeless people in the greater L.A. area, including everything from emergency shelters to medical centers. https://ecobear.co/homeless-encampment-cleaning/ services-available-homeless-los-angeles/

Dolores Mission Catholic Church— is place of worship provides temporary shelter to homeless people, particularly families in the vicinity of the parish.  e parish school maintains specialized programming for homeless students.  e church is described as a “beacon of hope” for the Boyle Heights community. Click the following link for information: http://www.dolores-mission.org/

Address: 171 South Gless Street; Los Angeles, California 90033

Phone: (323) 881-0032

Jovenes, Inc.— is nonpro t provides comprehensive services to homeless young people between the ages of 18 to 25.  ese services include an emergency homeless shelter as well as various programs and associated services to aid these young people in breaking the cycle of homelessness.  e organization assists immigrant young people. For information click the following link: http://jovenesinc.org/

Address: 1208 Pleasant Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90033

Phone: (323) 260-8035

San Fernando Rescue Mission—A community institution that has operated for more than 40 years, the San Fernando Rescue Mission provides shelter to homeless men, women and children. In addition, the organization o ers di erent services and resources to assist homeless people in achieving personal growth, employment, and housing. For information click the following link: https://sfvrescuemission.org/

Address: 13422 Saticoy Street, North Hollywood, California 91325

Phone: (818) 785-4476

HEALTHCARE

CVS Pharmacy—CVS will deliver prescribed medications to customers for free to ensure those most vulnerable to the disease don’t have to venture out. Aetna, a CVS company, will also waive early re ll limits on 30-day prescriptions for medicines typically needed to address chronic conditions like hypertension and asthma.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health— LACDPH set up a comprehensive website “Learn More About Novel Coronavirus” to arm the public with information, including background on the virus, its symptoms and available resources to those a ected. http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/# http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/

California Department of Public Health—CDPH COVID-19 information website lists the symptoms and risks, testing and treatment,  nancial resources, help for small business and even safe volunteer opportunities when you are tired of being cooped up indoors. www.covid19.ca.gov Phone: 916-558-1784. U.S. Centers for Disease Control https://www.cdc.gov/ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index. html

California Department of Social Services https://www.cdss.ca.gov/#covid19

MENTAL HEALTHCARE National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information and Resources, https://www.nami.org/getattachment/About-NAMI/ NAMI-News/2020/NAMI-Updates-on-the-Coronavirus/COVID-19-Updated-Guide-1.pdf?lang=en-US

Coronavirus Update: Mental Health Tips, Public Health News and Resources, https://namila.org/coronavirus-update-mental-health-tips-public-health-newsand-resources/

Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event, https:// emergency.cdc.gov/coping/index.asp

Managing Anxiety & Stress, https://www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Disaster Distress Helpline, https://www. samhsa.gov/ nd-help/disaster-distress-helpline

Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health

Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks http:// le.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dmh/1069578_ CommunicableDisease-StrategiesforCoping-FinalEnglish.pdf

Yoga for the Mind and Body— is is a 10-week video series featured on LAUSD’s Health and Wellness Fitness Channel. https://fast.wistia.net/embed/channel/kqxyyjogmr

Relaxing Oceanscape—Watching a tranquil seascape can help calm the spirit and relax the mind and contribute to your overall health and wellness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVkADAwOXnU https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/livecams/coral-reef-cam/ https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams

ONLINE CONNECTIVITY

Los Angeles Community College District—LACCD activated an Online Learning Call Center to help students and faculty with speci c online education questions or concerns.  e Online Learning Call Center will operate from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, using the toll-free number: (844) MyLACCD or (844) 695-2223. http://www.laccd.edu/About/News/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx

Keep Americans Connected—Verizon, as well as AT&T, Cable One and Cox Communications, signed a pledge issued by the Federal Communications Commission to keep Americans’ internet connected for the next 60 days, even if people cannot a ord to pay. More than 50 communications corporations agreed to the pledge. https://www.verizon.com/about/news/our-response-coronavirus https://www.fcc.gov/keep-americans-connected

Comcast—Comcast announced additional steps to help ensure people stay connected to the Internet as universities, colleges and schools suspend classes and companies encourage employees to work from home due to the Coronavirus. New families who connect will get 60 days of Internet service for free.  e Internet Essentials program is normally available to all quali ed low-income households in Comcast’s service area for $9.95/month. https://corporate.comcast.com/press/releases/internet-essentials-low-income-broadband-coronavirus-pandemic

Adobe—Adobe is making temporary at-home access to Creative Cloud available until May 31, 2020 for schools and colleges who currently have only lab access for students, at no additional cost. https://helpx.adobe.com/enterprise/kb/ COVID-19-education-labs.html

Spectrum—Spectrum will provide free broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps. Installation fees are waived. Spectrum Wi-Fi hotspots are also currently open and free for anyone to use.

To enroll, call 844-488-8395.

Zoom—Zoom video conferencing platform is available for free to K-12 schools in the U.S. https://zoom.us/docs/en-us/covid19.html

EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

L.A. Jobs Portal—Coordinated by the City of Los Angeles for those whose jobs have been impacted by COVID-19, here list of links and resources that can connect you to current job openings in L.A. Employers in sectors providing essential services under the “Safer-atHome” order, such as grocery stores and food delivery, need help to meet demand for their services. https://lajobsportal.org/

CalJOBS— is is an employment portal administered by the Employment Development Department that offers a variety of resources for job seekers. With the new mobile app available on Apple and Google Play stores you can job search on your smartphone. Information on upcoming job fairs and workshops is listed as well. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com. geosolinc.caljobs https://www.caljobs.ca.gov/ https://www.edd.ca.gov/Jobs_and_Training/Job_ Fairs_and_Workshops.htm

ALDI— is grocery chain is continuing to hire more people each day to keep their doors open and shelves stocked.  e company currently has nearly 5,000 openings, mostly based in retail stores.  ere are a handful of openings in specialized  elds such as human resources, public relations and IT. https://corporate.aldi.us/en/newsroom/aldi-covid-19- updates/ https://careers.aldi.us/

Kroger— e Kroger family of companies aims to hire 10,000 workers in stores, manufacturing plants and distribution centers nationwide. Candidates may apply online and could be placed for employment within several days of applying. Click the following link for information: https://jobs.kroger.com/

PepsiCo—PepsiCo recently announced it will hire 6,000 new, full-time, full-bene t frontline employees throughout the United States in the coming months to help maintain the supply of foods and beverages. https://www.pepsicojobs.com/main

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

One Fair Wage Stands Up for Service Industry Workers—Restaurant workers, delivery drivers and other tipped workers who are seeing their income decline or are not able to work because of quarantines or other health concerns can receive cash assistance. Click the following link to submit request online. https://ofwemergencyfund.org/help

STORAGE

U-Haul—U-Haul, a national moving and storage company, is o ering one-month of free self-storage to college students forced out of their dorms as universities around the country cancel in-person classes amid fears of the fast-spreading virus. Call or visit the website to reserve a truck or trailer. U-Haul also accepts third-party pay. In addition to the 30 days free self-storage o er, U-Haul powers Collegeboxes®, a student storage and shipping provider in the U.S. Students can  nd out when Collegeboxes will be on their campus picking up items for storage or shipping.

Uhaul.com 1-800-GO-UHAUL Collegeboxes Phone: (866) 269-4887 Info@collegeboxes.com

MISCELLANEOUS

Marijuana Dispensaries—Having been deemed “essential businesses,” marijuana dispensaries throughout the city have been allowed to remain open under the state’s “Safer at Home” order. Los Angeles has “cannabis dispensaries with a medicinal cannabis license” listed under “essential infrastructure” or “healthcare operations” that are exempt from closing.

Ultimate Social Distancing The Photos by REBECCA GRAZIER

By Beatrice Alcala J ust about 130 miles from the busy, nerve racking, and congested streets of downtown Los Angeles, there’s a place where you can unwind and enjoy what California has to o er.

It is Joshua Tree National Park.

Congress declared it a national park in 1936 under Franklin Delano Roosevelt,

Later, Joshua Tree was redesignated as a national park in 1994 when the U.S. Congress passed the California Desert Protection Act.  e park is approximately 790,636 acres. Of course, this park was named a er the Joshua tree. Right now--the spring--is the best time to to visit this park, and the fall is also great. Spring and fall are the times when temperatures average between 85 degrees and 50 degrees at night.

During summer days, the temperatures can pass the 100-degree mark. and at night time about 75 degrees until the early hours of the morning. No matter what time of the year you plan to go, whether spring, summer, fall, or winter you will de nitely enjoy this trip.

Now, more than ever during this time never seen before, Joshua Tree Park is the perfect place. While in the park it would be many miles around you before you make contact with another person making this a social distance experience

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

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Photo CREATIVE COMMONS

Homeless Don Surgical Masks, Gloves to Fight Virus

By Xennia Hamilton F ear has caused many Los Angeles residents to buy up masks, gloves and various disinfectants to protect themselves from the spread of the coronavirus.

It has put life on hold for many Angelenos and people around the globe. But the homeless face a challenge if they hope to protect themselves against the virus. A representative from  e Peoples Concern, a Los Angeles based shelter, described life inside the shelter since the outbreak on condition of anonymity.

“Our shelters are still open and operating as usual,” the representative said. “We have thermometers and we are taking temperatures every couple of hours.”  e shelter is located in the 2100 block of Arlington Ave. Homeless persons may receive the customary services and care like interim and permanent housing support and mental and medical healthcare. Center personnel are also sensitive to the needs of homeless individuals who may be domestic abuse survivors. But the community spread of COVID-19 has changed the way shelter personnel deliver services.  ey say close contact with new clients could pose a risk.

“Case workers are working from home and also, speaking with clients remotely from home via email or phone,” the representative said. “We are providing sack lunches, laundry and basic needs to our shelter clients also.”

Email correspondence or phone conversations are substitutes now for face to face communication. Social distancing is the rule.

Still, it is preferable to outdoors. Makeshi homeless shelters dot the streets of East Hollywood. It appears the individuals who live there would welcome some of the bene ts provided by shelters. People huddle under tarps and cardboard boxes below the freeway overpass at Melrose Avenue and the 101 Freeway exit and adjacent onramp. Less than a mile away, a more extensive maze of cardboard cubicles sprawl on North Virgil Avenue near the intersection at Beverly Boulevard where people live on the street.  e Midnight Mission is another major Los Angeles based shelter that assists the homeless. Georgia Berkovich is the director of public a airs.  e Mission has ramped up its response to the needs of homeless persons by providing them with supplies to  ght the virus like EPA approved antibacterial disinfecting cleaner, antibacterial disinfecting wipes, disposable gloves, infrared no-touch thermometers and surgical masks for “people presenting with a cou-gh.” “As we maneuver with con dence through this time of uncertainty with ways to continue providing our emergency services [hot meals, showers, a safe place to sleep, etc.], 12-step recovery, family living, job training, education, and workforce development programs to our community,” Berkovich said in a press release, “we are currently serving about 2,500 “take-out” meals every day, and we are expecting that number to increase as the month goes on, and other feeding programs close down.”

Shelter personnel continue to provide for homeless clients, but they have taken steps to protect themselves during the outbreak.

“ e only concern is we are no longer accepting walk-ins o the street,” the representative said. “We are assisting our clients only.”

Some of those who are turned away may have vouchers that they can use to  nd shelter at the Salvation Army, according to the representative. Peoples Concern is not accepting emergency vouchers.

Ava Tomas lives at the shelter, and she does not seem worried about the outbreak.

“It’s not a ecting us as much.  ey help us keep clean and give us lunch.  ey keep our clothes clean and they let us watch all kinds of TV,” Tomas said.” It’s not as bad in the shelter as they [the media] make it seem.”

FROM “DIGITAL ORPHANS” PAGE 1

O cials Bring More Support

Evans, whose major is political science both struggle to  nd places with a strong Internet connection to get their schoolwork done. Evans only has one iPad, and she shares it with her child who attends elementary school.

“I’m struggling with schoolwork online, but also struggling to keep this kid entertained without garbage content,” Evans said. “ ere isn’t enough [connection].”

In response, L.A. City College o cials organized support to bring these digital orphans online. On Sunday, March 22, Los Angeles City College gave away 300 laptops to students who quali ed for the program.  e program received over 8,000 applications according to a memorandum from the college.

Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez wrote in an email on March 11 that students will continue to submit assignments online until further notice. While campuses remain closed, school o cials promote platforms like Canvas and Zoom to facilitate class activities.

“Self-motivation is very challenging, but it is not the answer

Photo by DIEGO A CHAVEZ

New Normal: Empty classrooms are the rule since most courses moved online. Students without internet access say they miss school.

for everything,” L.A. City College professor of Law Richard Lewis told students during a Zoom conference. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Lewis provided students with an extension to submit homework online to help accommodate students a ected by the new normal.

A 2017 survey from the UC Berkeley Institute for Governmental Studies found 31 percent of Californians do not have high-speed Internet and a computer at home. Spectrum has been providing free and a ordable Internet Access since the enactment of Internet legislation in 2017.  e Los Angeles Uni ed School District (LAUSD) reached an emergency deal with Verizon to provide access for those in need.  e California Public Utilities Commission reported that 43 percent of rural households lack access to broadband at home with around 424,000 families without a proper connection to do work, conduct research, or even chat in times of quarantine.  e current COVID-19 situation has complicated life even more for students and families without internet service or computers.  e LACCD is accepting applications for laptops and scholarships to students who lack access to broadband at home through the Los Angeles City College District Fund site online.  e Online Learning Call Center is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Wednesday, to access online training.  e center’s phone number is (844) 695-2223.

FROM “CLEANING” PAGE 1 ‘Swish’ Pressure Wash Disinfects Campus for 250 Hours

Harrington says all exterior hightouch areas including tables, benches, hand railing and door entry areas will be disinfected in the last stages of cleaning. He estimates it will take around 250 hours to sanitize each and every building on campus. He says custodial sta are trained to handle issues in the  eld such as sanitizing and disinfecting.

“In regards to our recent pandemic, we are boosting our level of cleaning, utilizing color coded towels, so that there is no cross contamination and using a check list of all areas completed,” Harrington said.

According to a recent study completed by the New England Journal of Medicine, COVID-19 can survive for up to four hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two or three days on plastic and stainless steel.  e researchers also found that the virus can hang around as droplets in the air for up to three hours.

Wilbur Charter for Enriched Academics in Tarzana has taken similar precautions.  e elementary school administration has called for disinfecting classrooms, water fountains, door handles, sink faucets, lunch tables and other “high-touch” areas. Custodians have been using a diluted disinfectant ammonium chloride solution called Medi-Zap. It is used to kill bacteria as well as 2009 H1N1 In uenza A virus.

Universities around the nation are also taking steps to prevent the spread of the virus.

Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina, will disinfect classrooms, hallways and dorms. Workers at the university suited up in Tyvek exposure suits and  lter masks with a fogging machine as they went room-to-room and building-to-building to sanitize high-touch areas.

Tyvek suits are made to keep particulate matter and light oil and liquid away from the wearer, according to PK Safety Supply.

Harrington says custodial sta at the college are prepared.

“All of our custodial sta are educated in the task of disinfecting and trained in dealing with things like blood-borne pathogens,” Harrington said. “Our custodians handle issues in the  eld that would present soiled highly unsanitary conditions and are charged in handling our everyday practices of cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting our campus.”

He says sta received additional training on March 25 that focused on proper cleaning procedures, disinfecting and sanitizing, as well as proper use of personal protection equipment (PPE).

To prevent someone from reentering one of the classrooms a er custodial sta have completed the sanitizing phase, President Gallagher says there are precautions in place to make sure there is no recontamination before the college is reopened.

“Each classroom is being locked and they will be placing tape over the keyhole so they will know if someone entered the room and it needs to be completely redone,” Gallagher said in an email to the Collegian.

Housing Insecure Find New Hope in El Sereno

know what was going to go on, especially at night, so I felt a little scared, but I think things moved really quickly to make me feel comfortable.” Escudero and her family had been shu ed between various couches,  oors and even their van for over a year. DSA member Joanna Swan is one of the activists who was at the scene.

“As you can see, there’s a lot of homes that are vacant on this street,” Swan said. “ ey are all owned by Caltrans.

“ ey were trying to expand the 710 Freeway ... So they seized a bunch of homes, like 400 homes.  e people in the neighborhood actually fought Caltrans and got the 710 Freeway to be stopped. Caltrans still owns these properties though, and they basically ended up becoming slumlords of the area.”

Swan says Caltrans does not maintain the homes, and she says rents have gone up 10 percent per month. Residents in the area began to abandon the neighborhood.

Reclaimingourhomes.org shows a statement on its home page that there is more urgency to reclaim homes during the pandemic.  e website states that housing is a human right, and they are the “reclaimers,” in a  ght to take vacant houses owned by the state of California.

A man with arms folded stands in front of a white van.  e words “Yes on Prop 10.org” are emblazoned in large type on the side of the van.

Matt Rocco is a Caltrans spokesman. In an email to the Collegian, he stated that Caltrans knows what is going on in El Sereno,

“We are aware of the situation, and Caltrans is currently in discussions regarding the use of these properties,” Rocco stated.

In El Sereno, the mood was one of optimism despite fears of police intervention. A dozen homemade signs with messages of hope adorned the front yard just behind a canopy the activists used as a base of operation. Activists hauled bags of soil to the backyard. Children stabbed trowels into the dirt of their new community garden.

“I feel like it’s a shame that the whole state of California has become skid row,” Escudero said. “It’s shameful as human beings to have that happen while there’s vacant homes.”  ere are only 200 abandoned homes in El Sereno, but Escudero says there are probably thousands throughout California.

“I know there’s families that are waiting three years in shelters to get housing, and that’s ludicrous,” she said. “ ey need to act faster.  at’s why if the government is not doing its job, the community had to take matters into their own hands and create those solutions for them.”

We break down the rationale behind the decisions we’ve made when it comes to the stories we pursue and how we develop and present them. FROM “NEW YORK” PAGE 1

At the convention, journalism students network with professionals.  ey attend workshops with keynote addresses and enter competitions. Professionals present advanced sessions that provide journalism students with a broader perspective of the competitive industry.  is year’s presenters included New York Times multimedia reporter, Catrin Einhorn, senior adviser for news design and adjunct professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, Dr. Mario Garcia, and former prosecutor turned journalist and Court TV reporter, Beth Karas. Catrin did not attend, and CMA replaced her with Sree Sreenivasan, the chief digital o cer for the City of New York.

Richards and Martinez presented sessions that students from Rice University, Indiana University, the University of Miami, Georgia State University, Cal State Fullerton and Ohio University.

Martinez and Richards o ered two sessions: “So, You’re an EIC: How to Organize,” and “Manage, Survive and Win.”

In this session, they talked about how to put a publication together and win.

“I’ve learned so much in the journalism program at LACC, Richards said. “Not just academic knowledge, but boots-on-the-ground experience across all platforms, and I am happy to share all the tricks of the trade I’ve learned with other students. Although we are college students, what we do is no di erent than what professional journalists do - we are just at the beginning of our careers.”

Creating a publication is not an easy task. It takes hard work, long hours, and desire, but if you want to win, you must put in double the work and the hours.

A er the New York conference, Collegian Editor Ande Richards and Richard Martinez learned that the White House advised that anyone who had visited New York in the last 14 days should self-quarantine to prevent spread of the virus.

Both report they are at home and free of symptoms.

Shoppers Leave Empty Shelves By Angelea Coyne

Four rows of neatly-packed shelves hold boxes large and small with blood pressure monitors, ice packs, thermometers, and back supports among other items at LA Medical Supply in Koreatown, not far from campus.  e spread of the coronavirus disease spurred nervous shoppers to snap up supplies including surgical masks and gloves.

Customers have the option to shop online for gloves and masks and can spend anywhere from $11.99 to $100.99 depending on quantity and style, but many in the community like to shop and get what they need on the spot. Some older shoppers do not use computers or prefer to pay cash.

LA Medical Supply employee, Jessica Park says she does not know when they will replenish their stock.

“ e manufacturer told us that they cannot give us an estimated time of arrival on when the supplies that we ordered will be available,” she said.

Like supermarkets, medical supply stores must balance supply and demand and resort to limiting items to customers so that everyone gets access to critical health aids.

“I went to the Air Force commissary with my sister and they too are rationing out supplies, one of everything that they have per family,” Park said.

Medical suppliers, clinics and hospitals are feeling the strain of the rapid movement of COVID-19. Hospitals in L.A. County have been caught o guard and empty shelves are a common scene locally and nationwide. “Nationally it’s a strain for many hospitals to get supplies,” says Lavasha Floyd, an administrator at Harbor UCLA Hospital in Carson. “We have enough for patients and medical sta right now … but many are competing for these supplies.”

COVID-19 continues to create a shortage of supplies worldwide.

Ande Richards contributed to this story.

SPORTSBIN

I cherished every opportunity I had to be a part of our team, and I love you all for that. Our team has always set a great standard in pro sports and I know it will continue to do just that. Although my football journey will take place elsewhere, I appreciate everything that we have achieved and am grateful for our incredible TEAM accomplishments.

-Tom Brady Forever Patriots

By Nelson Cruz T om Brady. Just the name brings up conversations of the greatest quarterback of all time.

Brady had spent 20 seasons with the New England Patriots until he made his decision to move on from the team.

Tom Brady had many teams eyeing him when his contract ended with the New England Patriots. Some teams that were in the race before he agreed to his deal with Tampa Bay were the Los Angeles Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders.

L.A. City College student Obadiah Mesa says he’s a Patriots fan. He does not hold a grudge against Brady for leaving.

“I think that it sucks that he’s not gonna retire as a Patriot, and I hate to see him leave,” Mesa said. “But he has a goal to play [until] he is in his 25th season and I admire the fact that he’s not giving up on that even with so many people telling him to retire.”

L.A. Fans who like Brady’s record and work ethic watched closely to see if he might end up in Los Angeles.

Speculation over the Raiders died down once head coach, Jon Gruden said they were sticking with Derek Carr as quarterback. Speculation shi ed instead to the Chargers. It made sense for the Chargers to go for Tom Brady.  e team had recently parted ways with their starting quarterback, Phillip Rivers a er 16 seasons. But, it didn’t make sense for Brady to join the team.  e Los Angeles Chargers are known for a small fan base that attends their games. Overall, it did not bene t Brady’s brand.  e Tampa Bay Buccaneers had more to o er Brady, on the  eld and o . Tampa Bay has a respected head coach in Bruce Arians who has worked with successful quarterbacks in his time like Andrew Luck, Ben Rothlisburger and Carson Palmer.

In a recent Instagram post by Tom Brady, he announced that he would not be returning to the New England Patriots. Brady’s contract was  nally over and he was labeled a restricted free agent.  e NFL announced on March 17, that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tom Brady have agreed to a deal.

Brady agreed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that he would join the club for a price tag of $50

Legend

Leaves Dynasty

Photo CREATIVECOMMONS

Million, fully guaranteed, according to ESPN Analyst Adam Sche er. He also has incentive deals up to $9 Million.

For example, If Brady hits a certain amount of passing yards or touchdowns, he gets some of the incentive money.  e contract also prohibits any trades with Brady.

Brady spent 20 seasons with  e New England Patriots and made about $235,166,804 during his tenure, according to spotrac.com. Many argue Brady could have made many more millions if he didn’t take as many pay cuts as he did.

With the $50 Million guaranteed contract, Brady has agreed to, he is arguably the most successful quarterback to ever step on an NFL  eld.  e  rst day Brady takes the  eld as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer, legions of football fans will be watching. L.A. City College Business major Anthony Gramajo tried to visualize that day. ”BRO, I wanna know why he chose that team,” Gramajo said. “He should’ve at least retired as a Patriot! It’s going to be crazy seeing him in a di erent jersey. He is still the best quarterback though.”

JUDO PREVIEW

(Top) Students practice falling on their sides to ensure that they are safe when they are thrown in KIN. 2-17, Self Defense.

(Lower) Students seem to enjoy practicing,KIN 2-17,

Self Defense class on March 4, 2020. Students are pinned and are expected to free themselves from the hold. They are dragged across the judo mat to build their upper body strength.

VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW

FROZEN

Photo CREATIVECOMMONS

Season Stalls as Students Depart Campus

By Anastasia Obis

2020 Volleyball will not start this month or in May either.

Pre-law and criminology major Zimo  omas planned on returning to the volleyball court in April. She said she always loved sports but never played volleyball until college.  omas joined the LACC intramural volleyball program. Intramural volleyball was going to be more organized with online rosters and statistics.

Now, the season has been canceled this semester because of COVID-19. Intramural teams were ready to start in March for a season that did not come.

Teams would have tracked scores and rosters online for the second time this semester.

Players registered online at LAsportsNet.com. Organizers scheduled volleyball games to start a er the eight-week basketball season ended. Arshdeep Ghuman is one of the team leaders who planned to return this season.  omas says she knows at least one skilled player who planned to join the team.  omas says she was inexperienced when she joined.

“At  rst I didn’t know how to play volleyball at all,”  omas said. My teammates showed me the ropes and helped me out a lot when I was starting out.”

Julio Linares played intramural basketball, but he also plans to join the volleyball team this season. He is a student worker at LACC. He says he was always involved in sports at LACC.

“We have a big facility for athletics now,” Linares said. “It’s a good way to bring back school spirit.”

Last semester fewer players joined the team. Players who signed up on LAsportsNet.com could have tracked their game statistics on the website. Linares said the system helps teams keep track of scores and player performance.

“We are expecting a lot more newcomers,” Linares said.  e teams do not have coaches.

“I’ve always loved sports and wanted to continue playing in college,”  omas said. “When I enrolled at LACC, I saw they had something like a volleyball team, so I started playing and haven’t le .”

On top of practicing and playing about six hours per week, each player manages class time, commutes, does homework and engages in other extracurricular activities o the court.

Business major Shane Keys says he will consider joining the volleyball team once basketball ends. Keys is taking nine classes this semester, including environmental science, small entrepreneurship, yoga and self-defense. He says he manages his time well.

“It is all about creating a daily routine that works for you,” Keys said.

Ghuman plays both basketball and volleyball, and he says he looks forward to the season.  e delay does not seem to bother him.

“We are very excited, as this means more time to get to know each other and more teamwork,” Ghuman said.  e players practice a lot. Some enrolled in a volleyball class that meets every Tuesday.  ey played volleyball pickup games in the gymnasium in Kinesiology North a er spring break, but games were canceled.  omas led her team on and o the court. She says she was looking forward to playing with her friends again.

“Playing volleyball with them always feels right,” she said. “Can’t wait for the intramurals to play as a team with them a second time.”

FAMILY MATTERS: Shut-in Gets New Meaning ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

The tables are turned in family dynamics as some adult children

provide the first line of defense against COVID-19 for their parents. By Christopher Ahn T hings have to add up for Scott King. He is a chief accountant at work, but the bottom line nowadays is the health and safety of his parents who he keeps shut in at home to protect them from the coronavirus.

He commutes 10 minutes to their home in Hollywood to bring essential needs from bread to pasta. King says his  rst run was a very expensive trip to the Korean liquor store. He endured a bit of price gouging for a $4 can of Progresso soup.

“Mom [and I] have been tied at the hip trying to get the latest information and operating almost like a disciplined military unit to determine what we need to survive a prolonged quarantine, what information is and isn’t reliable, and keeping each other’s spirits day-to-day amidst uncertainty,” King said.

Diana Campbell is a writer, a jazz singer and a news and information junkie. Her husband, Oscar Rospide creates dreamy paintings and portraits in warm hues. He is a writer and a musician. He plays accordion in high-energy, cabaret-style revues.  e couple has been quarantined for almost two weeks.

“We entertain ourselves with good literature and music,” Rospide said. “Diana has a beautiful voice. She sings my favorite songs.”

In recent times, Campbell and Rospide performed in “Let It Shine,” which is a local bilingual television show series. Campbell’s voice resonated in the studio. Rospide’s beatbox and keyboard skills on the accordion complemented her voice. Campbell’s jazzy voice energizes and soothes.

Rospide is 79 and Campbell will turn 83 in July.  ey enjoy each other’s company and they practice social distancing. But King is the glue that holds this trio together. He delivers care packages and ensures his parents have everything that will keep them indoors.

Older adults are more vulnerable to COVID-19.  erefore, it is important for them to practice social distancing. Experts say anyone can catch the virus.  is means no matter what the age group might be, social distancing is a must.

Rospide is also a music composer. He recorded “Spacey,” which has an upbeat tempo.  e power couple’s quarantine seems to be delightful since they can sing to their heart’s desire.

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a “stay at home” order on March 19, 2020. Schools moved online. A lot of jobs are now performed at home. Large gatherings of people are not allowed.  is seems easy for younger generations. People can video chat with their friends, and kill time as they use their phones and play games. But they will still feel connected to everyone.

Boomers, however, can feel lonely; therefore, they do not seem to be a part of the fear herd.  ey will go outside for anything.

Art connects Rospide and Campbell, and they seem content with each other and without leaving their house. Rospide says he understands that this is serious, and it is important to maintain distance.

“I walk a little bit. I am not paranoid,” Rospide said. “I will not get close to anyone. I am a hugger too.”

Dr. Deborah Birx is the response coordinator for the White House Coronavirus Task Force. She says millennials are the key to lower the rate of infection. She says they are good at retrieving information and to protect one another.

“Right now, we need the army of millennials out there doing everything that they can to protect themselves from getting infected because we know a lot of their cases will be mild or asymptomatic and making sure that they’re doing every single precaution to protect their parents and grandparents,” Birx said during a recent White House press conference.

King appears to be the type of millennial that Birx describes. He encourages his parents to stay in contact with him. He monitors their health and insists they stay home to reduce their chances of contracting the virus.

“[I encourage] some sort of limited daily exercise so their muscles won’t atrophy, such as walking along with the top steps of their apartment building and staying as active as possible within a con ned space,” King said.

(Top) Oscar Rospide plays the accordion in a cabaret-style show called “Musica.” He is a shut-in along with his wife Diana during the pandemic. (Lower) Jazz singer and writer Diana Campbell stays safe at home without worries during the pandemic. Her son brings the couple all that they need.

FOUR WAYS TO STAY PRESENT DURING A PANDEMIC

By Paul Del Real

I am not a doctor or a psychologist, or any sort of anything requiring a degree or license.

I am just an everyday college student struggling with anxiety and depression. But as we continue to adjust to this ongoing pandemic, it can be very di cult to avoid getting caught up in the noise of it all.  e news, your friends and neighbors, and even government o cials have sounded the alarm so loud, that even I just want to throw in the towel and disappear into one of my vices, which include food, alcohol, or just plain staying in bed all day. Here are a few ways that I have been able to practice staying present:

Get o Facebook (and all social media).  is has been the hardest of all. When social-distancing has become a necessity and all human interaction has virtually disappeared, it can seem like Facebook is perfect to help bridge the gap.

Instead though (at least for me), it’s become more of a noisy forum for people’s grievances and fears. No more, I say. Try to deactivate your Facebook (keep your Messenger) and communicate only via phone calls and text.

You will feel a little like you are missing out at  rst. But over time, it gets easier, and you realize that you have more time to focus on the important things.

Limit your news intake.  is one is also hard. And it is also complicated because we are in an era where everyone can curate their own content. In a sense they control their own world view.  e term fake news has been thrown around so much that it’s lost its original meaning.

And the confusion comes from the top down. But remember, we used to trust the news. We used to value journalism in this country. So, go back to what you know. I suggest supporting your local newspaper.  ey are on the front lines, and they need all the help they can get. And if you must check in with the national news, may I suggest we go back to supporting the New York Times and  e Washington Post?  ey still follow journalistic principles.  ey haven’t changed. It’s the critics that have gotten louder. But stick to what you know.  ey are still doing good work and we should support that.

Read a Book (remember that?) When was the last time you read a book? I’m asking myself, btw. But seriously, when was the last time anyone read a book? I’d forgotten that I have so many, just sitting on my shelf.  ey have at least a layer of dust on them. Take a feather duster to them and start with something you’ve read already, maybe a favorite from the past? Mine is “ e Devil Wears Prada.” Oh, Miranda Priestly, how I’ve missed you.

Take a walk in your neighborhood. Sometimes, I just need some fresh air and to remember where I live. For me, just walking around the neighborhood can really help me focus on where I am and what I’m supposed to be doing here.

Pick up the pace, and you can easily get in a workout too. Try it. It really helps. I can see the advantages of “checking-out.” But right now, more than ever, it’s imperative that we stay focused and present.

Because as easy as it is to disappear into oblivion, the world is still going to continue. And it’s very important that we remain present, mindful, and ready for what’s to come.

TRAVEL IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS

We took group photos, and we got the biggest smiles when I said “coronavirus!” It seems flippant now, but at the time, nobody really knew what lay ahead.

By Ande Richards R ichard and I rehearsed our PowerPoint presentation for the College Media Advisers (CMA) Convention and debated on whether or not to throw in our signature, stress-relief choreography – both hands up to the right, down to the le and a 360-degree turn into a belly roll. Richard Martinez is my co-editor, partner-in-journalism-crime and co-presenter who represented L.A. City College at the CMA Convention.

A quick check of the forecast predicted mild weather for the days ahead and all looked good for our trip to New York City — except for the persistent notices about other convention cancellations.

We reached out to CMA organizers beforehand, but they were adamant that the annual event would go on as scheduled, even though the novel coronavirus loomed in the background.

With tickets purchased and hotel reservations con rmed, o we went. Our friend Clinton took us to the airport. When he’s not touring with his band or writing beautifully woven feature stories, he is usually busy as a driver for Ly . He tells us that business is painfully slow. And to his point, tra c was light, the airport eerily quiet. Still, passengers packed our New York-bound plane to capacity. Hours later, we walked into the Embassy Suites lobby. We arrived before check-in, but the welcoming sta happily accommodated us.  ere were no other guests at the desk, which is uncommon for a hotel in the heart of Manhattan.  is mellow vibe foreshadowed the remainder of our trip.

March 12 - Workshops, Hip-Hop and Tasty Bites

 is year marked our second annual stint as CMA workshop presenters.

We have attended many of these conventions and the workshops they o er. At some point,we realized that what we have learned at Los Angeles City College could bene t our student counterparts, so we developed two presentations: “So, You’re an EIC: How to Organize, Manage, Survive and Win,”(that’s journalese for editor-in-chief) and “Get the Most Out of Your Images.”

At the Collegian, we’re constantly pushed to broaden our horizons. We o en wear multiple hats.  is has enabled us to approach journalism and storytelling from a variety of vantage points. We are able to jump from editing and reporting, to publication design and photography, video, radio, multimedia and even advertising.

In our workshops, we deconstruct the rationale that drives the decisions we’ve made when it comes to the stories we pursue and how we develop and present them.

Students from across the country attend our sessions.  ey hail from both four- and two-year colleges. We are interactive and o en stop to take questions and get feedback. We learn, too. We cover the anatomy of the newspaper, branding, how to incorporate photos and illustrations and how to construct a well-written cutline — something I learned years ago at a CMA workshop. We talk about how to recruit and retain sta and how to play to their strengths. We share horror stories about epic newsroom arguments and blowups and we remind them to have fun. We let them know they will make mistakes and that those mistakes are a part of the learning process.

Keynote speakers at CMA are always accomplished journalists. In 2017 at the Dallas convention, I got to hear esteemed former CBS news correspondent Bob Schie er talk about driving Lee Harvey Oswald’s mother to the police station just a er her son shot JFK.  is years’ keynotes included New York Times multimedia reporter Catrin Einhorn; senior adviser for news design and adjunct professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism Mario Garcia; and former prosecutor turned journalist, Court TV reporter, Beth Karas. Einhorn did not attend and was replaced by a gregarious Sree Sreenivasan, chief digital o cer for the City of New York. He presented to us remotely because of concerns over COVID-19.

We were in the heart of Times Square and the  eater District. Shops were open, tourists were still visiting the square, but Broadway was blacked out, which to our dismay meant no cheap seats for us to see the Broadway adaptation of “Mean Girls.” We borrow a quote from the movie version in our EIC workshop, “I wish we could all get along like we used to in middle school … I wish I could bake a cake  lled with rainbows and smiles and everyone would eat and be happy …” – if only.

Richard and I headed downtown on the subway — yes, I said subway — to the International Center for Photography to meet up with our friend and fellow journalist Chris Smith to check out “Contact High, A Visual History of Hip-Hop.”  ere was antibacterial hand sanitizer at the reception desk and at the coat check of the museum. I noticed that a er every interaction — taking cash, hanging coats — museum sta pumped cleanser onto their hands. Happy, and maybe just a bit surprised to see us, they warmly greeted the daring souls still attempting to be cosmopolitan art lovers despite the looming cloud of pandemic anxiety. We marveled at portraits of hip-hop royalty, including  e Notorious B.I.G. who was showcased in the iconic Rolling Stone cover shot by Barron Claiborne, where Biggie, with a crown a xed onto this head and just slightly askew, visually solidi ed his role as the king of hip-hop.

I noticed this presentation of hip-hop icons seemed like it was infused with more love in its execution than L.A.’s Annenberg installation. And maybe it was the location; the Annenberg is like a womb, dark and round — introspective. ICP has high walls and big glass windows where they hang art for the people on the street to see. Hip-hop was born on the streets of NYC and it feels naturally at home there.

Next, we ventured into Tyler Mitchell’s “I Can Make You Feel Good” installation where portraits of black people enjoying leisure time hung from clotheslines, mimicking the way clothes sway in the wind as they dry in a summer breeze.  en we checked out James Coupe’s intriguing multimedia exhibit examining the impact of surveillance and arti cial intelligence on our everyday lives.  e next day, all museums were closed to the public.  e coronavirus was spreading and simultaneously shutting life down.

A er the museum, we made our way to Essex Market where beautiful  oral arrangements and fresh-cut  owers greeted us at the entrance. Essex Market is home for a collection of purveyors that o er a wide range of indulgences, such as a luxurious spice shop, a  shmonger, bakeries, a cra beer shop, a barbershop and a small art gallery.  ese vendors keep company with small restaurants featuring cuisine from around the world. It’s eclectic, even elegant, but de nitely feels like a neighborhood establishment.

On this occasion, our palates led us to Europe, Asia and Africa. At the Italian stand, we were presented with authentic Sicilian street food made with Arborio rice and various sweet and savory  llings. We walked a few steps to a  ai counter, each of us ordering traditional  ai iced teas, and I could not resist the sweet and spicy chicken. Our  nal destination was to the Moroccan stall for vegetable tagine and a roasted cauli ower dish we are all still dreaming about.

People shopped at Essex Market, carefully selecting cheese from the specialty shop and paring it with cured meats from the charcuterie.  ey sat across from one another and enjoyed their meals.  ere was no hint of the specter of the coronavirus, save for a long, snaking line of people with over owing hand baskets at the traditional grocery store located in the middle of the market.

anti-press concerns at LACC. We reached out to him to request an interview for a documentary project prior to our trip, but he had not responded so I emailed him again. He got back to us right away this time. Tim could not meet because he had been exposed to the coronavirus, so we pivoted and shot b-roll for our documentary instead.

We encountered a group who took the opportunity to invite passersby “to  nd God.”  ey paraded around Herald Square with signs and crosses and handed out pamphlets to anyone willing to engage with them.  en we walked to the New York Times Building where Tim usually works, and where we had hoped to visit, to get exterior shots. Next, we headed to New York University and Washington Square Park for more footage, but not before we stopped for boba, milk tea, spicy noodles and garlic chicken.

People were enjoying the park. Skateboarders, artists and students gathered in close knit clusters and interacted with one another as if the rules of personal engagement were still the same. It seemed that social distancing did not exist for them.

Photos by Ande Richards Top row: People gather in the busy Times Square neighborhood in NYC to socialize despite calls for social distancing on March 12, 2020. A religious group encourages people to fi nd God near the iconic 34th St. Macy’s in Herald Square on March 14, 2020. Bottom row: Richard Martinez instructs students from across the country at the College Media Association’s convention in NYC on March 12, 2020. A family spends Sunday morning feeding the ducks in Manhattan’s Central Park on March 14, 2020. The International Center for Photography features Tyler Mitchell’s portraits of African Americans on March 12, 2020. Several images hang playfully from a clothesline in “I Can Make You Feel Good.”

na scarves. We window-shopped world-famous Fi h Avenue stores like Mikimoto, Prada, Louis Vuitton and Ti any, walked past Donald Trump’s building and took note of the security guard armed with a machine-gun.

I never feel like I’ve truly visited NYC until I set foot in Central Park. Empty horse-drawn carriages lined the street adjacent to the park, while pretzel and hotdog vendors peddled old-school street food. Richard and I bought art from a vendor whose pieces illustrated scenes from iconic landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and recalled cultural  gures like Audrey Hepburn from her “Breakfast at Ti any’s” heyday. We walked into the park and sat on a bench. We watched artists draw portraits for tourists while an amateur trumpeter howled in the background. We spied a man  shing, or at least repeatedly casting his rod while other parkgoers took sel es, read or simply rested as they took in the beauty of the park. Corona who?

We made our way back to Herald Square via bus and then to the airport. Our return  ight was so sparse that all passengers had room to spread out. And they served us a meal — something that went by the wayside post New York’s last de ning moment on Sept. 11, 2001.

I was in NYC then, too. Two weeks a er that terrible event to participate in an Independent Filmmakers Market at the Angelika Film Center, just a 10 minute walk from “Ground Zero.”  at is where I  rst met Chris, who was a volunteer at the festival.

In 2001, and now in 2020, the visits to New York doubled as a time to reconnect with the spirit of a city that carries on even through the a ermath of a terror attack and a pandemic virus.

Back in L.A., Clinton couldn’t pick us up. He was  ne, but his new Prius was totaled.

Once back in our respective neighborhoods, we were soon aware of empty supermarket shelves and the acute tension that  lled the air, which had not been so evident just a few days before our trip.  en we got the news about Tim, he con rmed that he had indeed contracted the coronavirus. Richard and I practiced self-isolation for two weeks a er our trip and like NYC, no matter how this pandemic plays out, we will push on.