Several hours before Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced retail stores, churches and more businesses located within the city were cleared to re-open, he was on hand at Dodger Stadium for the official opening of the county’s 36th coronavirus (COVID-19) testing location.
“The geographic and spiritual heart of the city. Here in Chavez Ravine, all of us have memories,” Garcetti said during the press conference that was staged off the pitcher’s mound.
“Maybe it’s coming here with dad, like I have. Maybe it’s sitting here with friends or the entire family. Maybe if you’re lucky, it’s catching one of the home run balls that has sailed through here year after year.
“I know we would rather be here in a different context. We’d rather be here rooting on the Boys in Blue, seeing the heroes on the field come from behind and have an incredible comeback victory in the ninth inning, looking out at the most beautiful view of any stadium. We’ll get back to that soon enough. I truly believe that.”
The Dodger Stadium site has the capacity to test 6,000 Angelenos on a daily basis, making it the largest testing location in the state and potentially the entire United States as well.
“We’re excited to do this because this builds on the work we’ve been doing for the past weeks and months,” Garcetti said. “We want testing to be easy, accessible and free for everybody here in Los Angeles. We don’t have to you to have to wait in long lines.
“We’re not slowing up. We’re not letting up. And today’s opening of this site at Dodger Stadium is proof of that. “So, if you want to get tested, you can. Whether you have symptoms, no symptoms, mild symptoms. Don’t let something hold you back from getting a test.”
Citizens are asked to visit the city’s website in order to register for a free testing appointment, which is required.
Garcetti was joined by Los Angeles Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten; members of Community Organized Response Effort (CORE), which is dedicating 60 staff to help operate the site; and the L.A. Fire Department, which will oversee testing site logistics.
As Garcetti introduced Kasten, he referenced the Houston Astros and their cheating scandal that cost the Dodgers a World Series title in 2017. “He can’t say this stuff,” Garcetti began. “But we play fair here, and we’re going to get that championship soon.”
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