Long Beach fire crews put out a fire at a playground in West Long Beach on Sunday, LBFD spokesperson said.
Details:
The fire happened at Admiral Kidd Park's playground on the 2100 block of Santa Fe Ave on Sunday, July 18, just before 2 a.m.
According to Long Beach Fire Department spokesperson Jack Crabtree when firefighters arrived at the scene, they found a "Fully involved playground in flames."
Firefighters remained at the scene for about 45 minutes, and fire investigators are examining the playground to see if someone intentionally started the blaze.
Jane Grobaty, a Parks and Recreation spokeswoman, told the Press-Telegram that Parks and Rec would change the playground equipment, but she did not specify when.
A Long Beach family traveling from Saint Louis say they were forced to deplane off of their Southwest flight back home – all because their autistic son was unable to wear a face mask; Southwest Airlines would later dispute the claims, per multiple reports.
Ok, what just happened:
LaShaunda Jethro, her husband and their 17-year-old son, who has autism and is non-verbal, was asked to deplane by a flight attendant. Jethro told local Saint Louis outlet News 4, “We get to the door of the plane and the flight attendant is like, ‘no, he can’t come on, he’s gotta wear a mask’. I got my phone and pulled out the doctor’s letter,” Jethro told Local 12.
✈️ but,but,but:
Southwest does have exemptions for travelers with disabilities, a guardian or accompany passengers must fill out an exemption form and provide a doctor’s note.
Jethro, a nurse practitioner, said she told the flight attendant that her son is fully vaccinated, and even after showing the doctor’s note, they were allowed to take their seats briefly.
Moments later, flight attendants ask LaShaunda, and only her, to deplane.
Consequently, the entire family opted to exit from the plane together, even though their bags had already been checked. On Monday, they rebooked a ticket to Long Beach.
👩🏽✈️: Southwest Airlines alleges that Mrs. Jethro was asked to leave the plane because she was not wearing a mask while talking with flight attendants.
As the transmission of the Delta variant spreads, Los Angeles County says they've seen a "significant increase" in COVID-19 related hospitalizations and that test positivity has grown by the "10-fold."
Where things stand:
Los Angeles County reported 1,233 new COVID-19 cases plus two new fatalities. The County has been recording 10,000 COVID-19 cases a week, the most since March, per the LA Times.
11 California counties, more than half of the state's population, have asked residents to wear face masks while indoors regardless of their vaccination status.
For the past seven months, 98.7% of COVID-19 related hospitalizations and deaths were among unvaccinated patients.
Not a single fully vaccinated L.A. County resident has been hospitalized due to COVID-19.
According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, coronavirus cases have climbed 700 percent since June 15.
Meanwhile, in Long Beach:
City health officials announced last week that Long Beach would be joining the rest of the County in reinstalling a mask mandate for residents while indoors.
In their last press release, the Long Beach Health Department stated they've "seen a 331% increase in average daily cases over the past two weeks and 860% since June 15."
At this time, 30% of eligible Long Beach residents haven't even received at least one dose of the vaccine from the three major manufacturers, according to the LB Post.
By the Numbers:
L.A. County Public Health has confirmed 1,233 new cases of COVID-19.
The County reported two new deaths on Monday, one person was over the age of 80, and the other fatality was between the ages of 65 and 79.
There are presently 528 persons hospitalized with COVID-19; 372 people were hospitalized last Monday, and 218 people were hospitalized on June 15.