A motion introduced Wednesday by Councilmember David Ryu would establish a $25 million “wage replacement program” for any Los Angeles resident – regardless of income, immigration status, or criminal record.

To be eligible, individuals would have to agree to self-isolate and provide public health information to Los Angeles County contact tracers, Ryu said.

The councilman’s proposal cited data showing communities of color, low-income communities and immigrants are more likely to become infected with COVID-19 and suffer from a higher mortality rate.

They are also more likely to work in essential jobs that cannot be done from
home and interface regularly with the public, according to Ryu.