Actor and activist Anthony Anderson joined Mayor Eric Garcetti, left, and Councilman Curren Price in calling for more COVID-19 testing for people of color. (photo courtesy of Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office)

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti recently encouraged residents in communities of color to get tested for COVID-19 and outlined free testing available to vulnerable Angelenos. The mayor was joined in making the announcement by City Councilman Curren Price, 9th District, and actor and activist Anthony Anderson.

“Testing saves lives, and we have to deliver more testing to the people hardest-hit by COVID-19: communities of color and vulnerable Angelenos,” Garcetti said. “We can only defeat this virus if everyone does their part and if we tackle the deep racial inequities baked into our health system. We have tests prioritized for you if you have symptoms or think you have been exposed, and we need everyone to wear a face covering, stay home when you can and avoid gatherings with anyone outside your home.” 

With recent Los Angeles County public health data showing that Black and Latino Angelenos are twice as likely to die from COVID-19 compared to white Angelenos, Garcetti, Price and Anderson highlighted strategies for communities of color to avoid contracting and spreading the virus, including testing.

The city of Los Angeles has spent nearly $100 million to provide free testing to residents. It was one of the first large cities in America to offer testing for anyone, with or without symptoms. With the support of the Los Angeles Fire Department, the city has partnered with the county and Community Organized Relief Effort to provide free testing sites until community health centers, clinics, pharmacies, doctor’s offices and other medical providers can provide COVID-19 diagnostic tests. More than 1 million tests have been administered since public testing began on March 20. 

For information, visit coronavirus.lacity.org/testing.