LOS ANGELES — Forty portable handwashing stations have been deployed to various homeless encampments on the West side of L.A. as city leaders fear unsanitary conditions on city sidewalks could spread the novel coronavirus. 

“This is about preventing death on our streets and it’s also about protecting public health generally and I think it’s the right thing to do. Ideally, I wish the city had been doing this sooner,” said District 11 Councilman Mike Bonin, who spent the last two days on the phone to get soap and water rushed to various encampments. 

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The first stations arrived Wednesday at Venice Boulevard and Globe Avenue, where dozens of people live in tents underneath a 405-freeway overpass. 

Here are some of the places receiving the portable sinks:

Venice: 

  • 300 East Rose Avenue
  • 401 S. Lincoln Blvd
  • 201 Mildred Avenue
  • 940 Rose Avenue
  • 313 S 4th Avenue
  • 1415 Lincoln Blvd

Mar Vista:

  • 3700 S Globe Avenue
  • 3826 Grand View Blvd
  • 12444 Venice Blvd

West Los Angeles:

  • 1400 S. Wellesley
  • 2414 S Sawtelle Blvd
  • 12300 W Pico Blvd
  • 2201 S Carmelina Ave

Brentwood:

  • 11000 Wilshire Blvd
  • 11552 San Vicente Blvd

Westchester:

  • 9800 S La Cienega Blvd

Del Rey:

  • 11900 W Bray Street

 

COVID-19 has been officially declared a pandemic, the World Health Organization announced Wednesday.

For the latest updates go to: coronavirus.gov