One of the things I’ve been wholeheartedly grateful for during this pandemic is the weather. It’s been nice and cool in L.A. — unseasonably so! — which means that amid everything else, we at least haven’t had to worry about overheating.

But all good things must come to an end, and this week, temperatures will begin to climb into the 90s. Parts of the city that don’t have as many trees or green spaces could be up to 10 degrees hotter than elsewhere, reports Alyssa Jeong Perry.

This is especially worrisome for folks who rely on public spaces to stay cool, with the closing of malls, libraries, museums and more. The city is looking into opening up cooling centers if they can safely do so, but in the meantime, be sure to check on your neighbors who might be more vulnerable to the heat, drink plenty of water and don’t overdo those #COVID15 workouts.

Ramadan Mubarak to our friends who are beginning their observation of the month-long holiday this evening. And to all Angelenos, stay cool, stay safe, and try to stay sane.

— Jessica P. Ogilvie

Coming Up Today, April 24

Mike Roe speaks to improv teachers who are continuing classes from a remote distance.

In L.A., most of us are staying put, part of the “safer at home” order. But as Aaron Mendelson reports, for Angelenos living in substandard housing, staying home can pose other types of health threats.

Erick Galindo talks with a local immigrant advocate who has become the coronavirus question-answerer. A common query: Is it OK for me to seek medical care?

California's Work Sharing program allows employees to keep their jobs with fewer hours, and use unemployment benefits to make up for lost wages rather than losing their jobs altogether. But David Wagner reports that the state's outdated application process leaves many in the dark.

Tens of thousands of Armenian Americans tyically gather outdoors to mark Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day. This year, reports Aaron Schrank, the community is finding other ways to mark the occasion.

At least three L.A. restaurants have sued their insurance companies for denying coronavirus-related claims, and Elina Shatkin reports that we can expect to see more such lawsuits.

Josie Huang explores the fallout of Trump's ban on most green cards: families sponsoring relatives other than a spouse or minor child of a U.S. citizen will have to wait even longer to see their loved ones. Some have already been waiting for years.

Congressional District 27 in the San Gabriel Valley is one of the few majority Asian-American districts in the country, and Caroline Champlin examines how the 2020 census could determine its future.

Investigative reporter Aaron Mendelson takes look at the reality for some low-income renters who face health hazards in their rental units where they've been told to stay to be "safer-at-home."

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The Past 24 Hours In LA

L.A., California, The World: There are at least 17,508 coronavirus cases and 797 deaths in L.A. County. There are over 39,000 cases and 1,500 deaths in California. Worldwide, there are nearly 2.7 million cases and over 188,000 deaths.

COVID-19 Fatalities: Yesterday was the deadliest day for the coronavirus in California. In L.A. County, the virus is now killing more people every day than coronary heart disease, emphysema, COPD or the flu.

Feeling The Heat: Temperatures are expected to hit the 90s in the coming days in some parts of L.A., leaving concerns about those who rely on public spaces to stay cool. The two candidates in the competitive race to replace Katie Hill in CA-25 talk about their plans for coronavirus relief and recovery.

Money In The Time Of...: Here’s the best way to get your unemployment claim processed. L.A. County has been allocated more than $1 billion by the feds to keep public transit moving, while passenger traffic at small local airports is taking a nosedive. The glut of oil and collapse of demand in Southern California is resulting in oil tankers lined up offshore, layoffs and more. All of California’s cities have mammoth looming budget gaps that will force cuts to core services.

L.A.’s Food Scene: West Hollywood’s Cannabis Cafe has reopened as the "World's First Cannabis & Food Drive-Thru.” The San Gabriel Valley's famed Sichuan restaurant Chengdu Taste is coping with the impact of the coronavirus. Kura Sushi, a large restaurant chain that got a federal COVID-19 loan intended for small businesses, is giving the money back, along with all publicly-traded companies.

Facing The Truth: Facebook is letting advertisers target users the company has identified as interested in “pseudoscience.” There's pressure on Orange County officials to denounce recent hate incidents targeting the Asian community, including at an area high school. The number of people in L.A. County experiencing anxiety or depression jumped dramatically between mid-March and mid-April.

Utilizing Our Resources: The attorneys general of 20 states, including California, are calling for further easing of restrictions on gay and bisexual men donating blood. The public housing units at Jordan Downs in Watts will receive $35 million to improve and expand. ER volumes have been down 40 to 70%, but people may be forgoing care for fear of contracting COVID-19. No, you probably don't need to wear a mask when you're walking or jogging around outside — just keep your distance.

Homelessness And Unemployment: More than 4 million more people have filed for unemployment, bringing the approximate total of out-of-work Americans to around 26 million. L.A. is moving towards settling a lawsuit over its handling of the homeless, which will require policy changes in all 15 council districts.

Immigrant Detainees: A federal judge has ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to reduce the number of people detained at Adelanto ICE Processing Center in San Bernardino County by at least 250 by the end of the month.

Take Your Child... Where?: We took a hard look at why yesterday's official take your child to work day may have maximum quarantine gaslighting.

Your Moment Of Zen

Intermission is a pleasant way to think about what we're going through right now. We've all seen the Instagram posts chiding us to "make the most of this time!" and "take a needed break!" and we've all wanted to reach through the app and slap the people who post them. But yeah, we can get behind the idea of an intermission; it's just a break between acts in a show. And who knows what the next act will bring?

(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

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