Torres’ Concerns, Public Outcry Cause State to Scrap Plan to Bring Coronavirus Patients to Dilapidated Building in Pomona
POMONA, CA – Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today commented on the State of California's decision not to proceed with plans to bring homeless people infected with coronavirus to a dilapidated building in Pomona.
"Yesterday, the city council in my hometown of Pomona was briefed on a plan for the State to bring homeless people infected with coronavirus to a dilapidated armory in downtown Pomona," Rep. Torres said. "Not only is the facility unfit to help stricken patients mend, but the plan would bring infected individuals to a building in close proximity of crucial infrastructure in Pomona – the police station, fire station, multiple courthouses, and local shops as well. It could have placed first responders at risk.
"The people of Pomona did not elect me to sit idly by in the face of a plan like this – I was notified, and I acted on that information. I spoke out, and as of 5:15 PM tonight, my office was informed that the State has dropped its plan completely."
News of the decision came as a number of State and local officials claimed the plan never existed in the first place.Their statements were undermined by the fact that one of them had already confirmed the plan to reporters, and stated his opposition to it on the record.
"I am proud to fight for my community, and I can't imagine why a local official would try to cover something like this up," Torres continued. "We need elected officials to be vigilant, and good stewards of the public's trust. Misinformation – particularly when it is intended to deceive the public – is entirely inappropriate at a time like this."
Rep. Torres was also instrumental in diverting a plane originating from Wuhan, China that was intended to land at Ontario International Airport, and demanded an investigation into the misguided plan.
Rep. Torres' initial press release about the State's plan is available here.
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