The access codes were part of a program designed to get lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines into neighborhoods hit hardest by the pandemic.
Intended to address inequities, the program instead was being misused by people far outside the intended communities. latimes.com/california/sto…
In L.A., the rumor spread like wildfire through group texts and email chains: The government was testing the appointment system at a new COVID-19 vaccination site at Cal State L.A., and you could help by using a special access code to sign up for a shot. latimes.com/california/sto…
In the Bay Area, the gossip took a slightly different form: Doses at the Oakland Coliseum were about to expire, and you could do your part by making an appointment, again, with a special access code.
The problem, of course, was that none of this was true. There were no expiring doses at the Oakland Coliseum earmarked for use with special codes, and the Cal State L.A. site had no appointment testing program. latimes.com/california/sto…
The loophole sprang from access codes that allowed users to book appointments through the state’s vaccine registration system. Officials asked community groups — nonprofits, faith-based groups, labor unions — to circulate the codes to their members for appointments at the sites.
But those codes also began circulating in emails and group texts among the wealthier, work-from-home set in Los Angeles who are not yet eligible for the vaccine. Many were younger than 65, and said they didn’t know they were taking slots meant for others. latimes.com/california/sto…
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday that California would be making changes to the program following the Times report about the abuses.
Many have been drawn by simple curiosity, or the promise of hopping into a room with a celebrity.
Some are chasing fame and exposure to the growing crowd.
Others are there because it’s their job to figure out what’s going on in the social tech world. latimes.com/business/techn…
For the most part, only the most popular performers are making money on Clubhouse, by soliciting tips from fans.
But there are also scammers. Grifts run the gamut from basic — convincing people to pay for app invitations — to multi-phase chicanery. latimes.com/business/techn…
The backlog of 806 new COVID-19 deaths in L.A. County, most of which occurred in December and January, was discovered following extensive checks of death records, Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said.
Los Angeles is still primarily providing second-dose appointments but hopes to be able to “accelerate once again first-dose appointments” starting next week, Mayor Eric Garcetti said.
Beginning Monday eligibility will expand to include workers in education and childcare, food and agriculture, emergency services and law enforcement. latimes.com/california/sto…
“I look forward to the day, and I think it’s coming sooner than we can imagine — in a month, month and a half, maybe two months max — where I think all of these tiers basically go away because we’re going to have so much vaccine supply in this country.” latimes.com/california/sto…
Lady Gaga’s dog walker is in the hospital after he was shot and two of the pop star’s French bulldogs were stolen Wednesday night in Hollywood, The Times has confirmed. latimes.com/entertainment-…
According to the Hollywood branch of the LAPD, a suspect armed with a semi-automatic handgun shot a single victim around 9:40 p.m.
Gaga performed the national anthem at Biden's inauguration. What she did at the end of her performance showed she didn't miss the gravity of the moment latimes.com/entertainment-…
Public radio station giant KRCW-FM is under fire this week after a former news producer alleged that she experienced a pattern of racist behavior while working there. latimes.com/entertainment-…
.@cerisecastle said in a podcast interview and on social media that her time at KCRW was “marked by microaggressions, gaslighting, and blatant racism" latimes.com/entertainment-…
She decried the station’s lack of racial representation and accused management of appropriating her ideas.
She also described in a letter other experiences involving comments about her hair, being yelled at, and how her thoughts were received latimes.com/entertainment-…
As California sees a decline in COVID-19 cases, there is growing concern about another potential problem waiting around the corner: a new more contagious, severe virus strain that can evade antibodies generated by COVID-19 vaccines or prior infection.
Those attributes have some scientists worried that the homegrown California variant could reverse the state’s recent progress in reducing new infections — especially if it’s able to swap mutations with other threatening strains.
Experts believe the California variant likely emerged in the state in May.
By the end of next month, the homegrown strain will probably account for 90% of the state’s coronavirus infections, said Dr. Charles Chiu, an infectious disease researcher.