A.M. Brief: Gyms, Museums, and Indoor Dining Could Reopen By Monday

Red tier, here we come! Also this morning: POTUS sets a hopeful vaccination goal, high school sports are back in Long Beach, and a grim statistical reminder of the disproportionate effects of the pandemic. It’s Friday. This is your news brief. Take it!

Morning News Rundown

With just one key hurdle remaining, L.A. County is set to move into the red tier of reopening on Monday. This would trigger the possibility of indoor dining, a visit to a museum, or even a trip to the gym. Los Angeles will be eligible to move to the new tier once California reaches a statewide goal of administering 2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to its most disadvantaged areas. That metric could be met as soon as today. [L.A. Times]

In an address to the nation last night, President Joe Biden said he expects all states to open up vaccine eligibility to all adults, without exception, by May. But is that realistic? Experts say it could be, but a lot of hard work lies ahead and much of it depends on vaccine supply. [ABC 7]

The City of Los Angeles hopes to speed up the construction of new Accessory Dwelling Units by offering 20 pre-approved designs. Choose one of the ready-made plans and it could shave four to six weeks off the permitting process. [LAist]

In a likely sign of things to come throughout the county, high school sports have resumed in the City of Long Beach, including three football games scheduled for Friday evening. Before this week, Long Beach had gone more than 11 months without holding a live high school sporting event. [LB Post]

One year after the WHO declared a pandemic, Los Angeles County has lost over 22,000 people to the coronavirus. But a closer look at the numbers paints a portrait of disproportionate effects. Among the hardest hit are Latinos in L.A., who make up 47.6% of the population, but account for 52.4% of deaths due to COVID-19. [Crosstown LA]