October 22, 2020
Tired of the Pandemic? You're Not Alone.
We’re now into the eighth month of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve all learned to wash our hands for 20 seconds or more at a time and we know how far six feet is between us and the next closest person. When we leave our homes, we’ve always taken our keys, wallet and cell phone; now a face covering is part of that list too.

For many people, this “new normal” is getting old. We long for the days when we can see our friends unmasked and give them a hug, too.

There’s a term for this—pandemic fatigue. People are tired of staying at home. People want to return to being the social creatures we inherently are. People want their “normal” (the “old normal?”) back.
Latest Health Officer Order Allows Private Gatherings with Restrictions
On October 14, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health revised the Health Officer Order to more closely align with the California Department of Public Health Guidance for the Prevention of COVID-19 Transmission for Gatherings. The Health Officer Order allows private gatherings of three or fewer households, as long as the private gathering is outdoors, everyone wears a cloth face covering and keeps at least six feet of physical distance, food is in single-serve disposable containers and the duration of the gathering is two hours or less. 

Private gatherings with people from different households increases the risk of COVID-19 transmission, with the risk increasing the longer the gathering. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recommends if you do gather with two other households, that you do so with the same households each time, to create a quasi-bubble that can reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Large public events and gatherings remain prohibited, even if held outdoors. Read the Health Officer Order here.
Los Angeles County COVID-19 Case Increases Driven by Younger Residents
People of all ages are at risk of being infected with COVID-19 and younger groups are driving the County’s case counts. Residents 18-49 years old have had the highest number of cases, now accounting for 58% of all cases. When you add teenagers, a group who may be out socializing, residents 12-50 years old account for 68% of new cases. While younger residents continue to make up the majority of new cases, residents over age 50 continue to make up the majority (60%) of people hospitalized with COVID-19.
Happy Halloween!
With Halloween just around the corner, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has created guidance to help families plan early and identify safer alternatives to celebrate, while reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19. Learn what activities are permitted and recommended here.

Check out these AdventurePlex Halloween kid activities for your family to celebrate while safer at home:

And remember to say "Boo to the Flu" and get your flu vaccine! For more information on flu vaccines, visit bchd.org.flu.
Eat Local: Meals for Home Delivery
We have expanded our errand assistance program to now include affordable and healthy meals for home delivery to vulnerable populations and those safer at home in the Beach Cities. Menus are available online and orders can be placed online or by phone. Learn more at bchd.org/mealdelivery.
As of 10/19/2020
239
386
613
Apply for a Micro Enrichment Grant
Beach Cities Health District's Micro Enrichment grants provide small, one-time project-based health initiatives for up to $5,000 of funding. Micro enrichment grants are awarded twice in the fiscal year with one application window in the fall and one application window in the spring. BCHD will receive fall applications and proposals from now until noon on Friday, November 20, 2020. View the application criteria and apply here.
Special Enrollment for Covered CA: September 1 - November 1
People who experience a qualifying life event can newly enroll in a health plan through Covered California even outside the open-enrollment period. This is called special enrollment. Learn more.

Need help navigating the online application? 
Beach Cities Health District continues to be a Certified Enrollment Entity and offers enrollment assistance and support for individuals applying for Covered California and Medi-Cal. Please contact (310) 374-3426, ext. 256 for assistance.
Safe in the South Bay Dine Out Week: October 19-25
We are encouraging customers to support local restaurants by doing take out, curbside pick-up, delivery or outdoor dining.
Hermosa Beach
Baja Sharkeez
Crafty Minds Brews + Bites
Decadence
El Gringo
Good Stuff Hermosa Beach
Gum Tree
Gum Tree Inc
Hermosa Brewing Company
Hermosa Mexican Cuisine
Hermosa Pie Co.
Hi-Fi Espresso LLC
MOSA Coastal
Ocean Diner
Paciugo
Palmilla
Patrick Malloys
Pedone's Pizza
Playa Hermosa Fish & Oyster
Silvio's Brazilian BBQ
The Hook and Plow
The Rockefeller Hermosa Beach
The Source Cafe
Tower 12
Manhattan Beach
Blue Star Donuts Los Angeles
BREWCO
GROW
Grunions Sports Bar & Grill
Gum Tree
homie
Lido di Manhattan
Love & Salt
Manhattan Beach Creamery
Nick’s Manhattan Beach
Rock & Brews Restaurants
Rock'N Fish
Shellback Tavern
Starbucks
Tacolicious
The Rockefeller Manhattan Beach
The Source Cafe
The Strand House
zinc@shade

Palos Verdes Peninsula
Good Stuff Palos Verdes
Lunada Market & Deli

Torrance
Lisa's Cafe and Bakery
Primo Italia
The Brews Hall
Redondo Beach
Bettolino Kitchen
Burger Spot
California Pizza Kitchen
Captain Kidds Fish Market & Restaurant
Gabi James
Good Stuff Redondo Beach
Good Stuff Restaurant
Hi-Fi Espresso LLC
Locale90 Neapolitan Pizza Market
Pacific Standard Prime
Panelas Brazil Cuisine
Riviera House
Riviera Mexican Grill
Rock & Brews Restaurants
Sea Level Restaurant and Lounge
The Rockefeller Redondo Beach

El Segundo
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar
Good Stuff El Segundo
Havana
Jame Enoteca
Metro Cafe
Old Town Patio
R6 Distillery
Richmond Bar & Grill
Sausal
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
It’s important, now more than ever, to continue with essential, preventive care, like breast cancer screenings. Providers, clinics and hospitals are open and have safety standards and infection control protocols in place to keep you safe. Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends women get a mammogram every two years if you are 50-74 years old and are at average risk for breast cancer. If you are 40-49 years old, talk with your doctor about when and how often you should get a mammogram. For more information on preventive care during COVID-19, visit bchd.org/covidhealthcare. 
Healthy Living Campus
Environmental Impact Report Process
The refined draft Healthy Living Campus master plan, presented at the June 17, 2020 BCHD Board of Directors meeting, was developed from more than 60 meetings attended by more than 550 residents and drawing more than 1,000 comments during the last three years regarding elements of the campus. 
  
The Board endorsed a project description to continue the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) process ⁠— originally started in June 2019 ⁠— with the more compact Healthy Living Campus master plan as the basis of the project description. This blueprint will inform the public and project decision-makers about significant environmental effects and identify possible ways to minimize or avoid those effects. 

The updated, more compact draft master plan includes:  
A Community Wellness Pavilion with public meeting spaces, demonstration kitchen, modernized Center for Health & Fitness, aquatics and more.
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), a Medicare/Medicaid program that provides comprehensive medical and social services to older adults.  
Fewer Units: Residential Care for the Elderly (RCFE) units drop from 420 to 220. Pricing has yet to be determined. One plan being considered will offer 10 percent of units at below market rates. 
Smaller New Building Area: New on-campus building area drops 18%
Less Construction Time: Active construction time is shortened from nine to five years in two phases (instead of three). 
2.5 acres of open space for programming to replace acres of asphalt. 
Virtual Families Connected Speaker Series "Practicing Resiliency with Your Family During COVID-19" presented by Kelly Greco, PsyD
Hear Dr. Greco speak about strength-based practices like positive psychology and solution-focused strategies to build resiliency and help the community thrive.
 Thursday, October 22
6:30 - 8 p.m.
Red Ribbon Week
Beach Cities Health District and the Beach Cities Partnership for Youth Coalition are raising awareness about prevention of youth substance use. As a recipient of the federal Drug-Free Communities grant program, administered through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Beach Cities Partnership for Youth joins more than 700 community-based coalitions nationwide in addressing youth substance use.
 October 23 - 31
Virtual BCHD Board of Directors Meeting
Wednesday, October 28
6:30 p.m.
Virtual Blue Zones Project Cooking Show
Learn about Blue Zones Project inspired food from registered dietitian, Marissa Martorana, and get a taste of how to live longer, better. We will highlight immune-boosting foods that may help you during this flu season.
Thursday, October 29
4 - 5 p.m.
Virtual Social Hour with Beach Cities Health District Care Manager, Charlotte Barnett
With many senior centers closed and many older adults unable to socialize, we want to provide a space for people to talk, ask questions and share their experience during COVID-19. Join us if you want to learn more about community resources or BCHD, or if you just want to connect! Open to all.
Tuesdays, November 3 and 17
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Virtual Mindfulness Drop-In
Take 30 minutes to downshift and practice mindfulness techniques the first Wednesday of each month.  
 Wednesday, November 4
4 - 4:30 p.m.
Virtual Mental Health & Happiness: An Introduction to the Series
This introduction provides an overview of the series designed to support well-being through gratitude, empathy, bravery and purpose. Learn techniques to build a practice supporting stress resilience and positive social connections.
 Thursday, November 5
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Virtual Blue Zones Project Social Hour
Enjoy good company and practice a few Power 9 Principles of Longevity, including Down Shift and Right Tribe. Our special guest will be GROW. Relax, bring your healthy bites and connect with your community!
Tuesday, November 10
4 - 5 p.m.
Virtual Moai Social: How to Overcome Procrastination Workshop
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many are finding themselves procrastinating on taking action on their to-do lists. This often causes stress and negative feelings. Join us in a supportive environment to explore this issue.
Wednesday, November 18
5 p.m.
Virtual Families Connected Parent Chat
A free parent support group led by a licensed professional from the Thelma McMillen Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment at Torrance Memorial Medical Center held in partnership with South Bay Families Connected. Open to all parents.
Mondays
10 – 11 a.m.
Virtual Happiness Chat
This is a casual discussion group with light-hearted activities to spark conversation. Share ideas, tips, resources, jokes, quotes – anything that supports our happiness!
Tuesdays
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
#LiveWellAtHome
Get unlimited access to all Center for Health & Fitness live virtual exercise classes for a monthly fee of $32. Small Group Training is also available virtually for $12 per class. Learn more.
COVID-19 Testing at BCHD Campus 514 N. Prospect
Los Angeles County's testing criteria includes:
  • Those who have COVID-19 symptoms: Fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea
  • Those who have had a known exposure to COVID-19, including those who were in close contact with someone with COVID-19 
  • Those who live or work in a high-risk setting (such as skilled nursing facilities, group homes, residential care facilities and persons experiencing homelessness) 
  • In accordance with California Department of Health Testing Guidance, testing is also available when there is additional testing capacity if you do not have symptoms and you are an essential worker with frequent contacts with the public in these sectors: health care, emergency services, food and grocery, retail or manufacturing, public transportation, and education. To view a complete list of essential worker groups from the California Department of Public Health, click here.
If you're unsure if you need a test, check with your health care provider. If you don’t have a health care provider, call 211 to get a referral.

If you are unable to receive testing through your provider, please continue to check the site for availability at Los Angeles County sites, or make an appointment at a Los Angeles City, state-operated or community testing site such as CVS by visiting covid19.lacounty.gov/testing. Tests are free of charge and are by appointment only. 
What to expect after you've been tested for COVID-19
If you are awaiting testing results, you should stay home and act as if you are positive. This means self-isolating for 10 days and 24 hours after fever subsides and symptoms improve. If a person tests positive for COVID-19, they should plan on receiving a call from a contact tracer to discuss how to protect themselves and others, to find out where they may have been, and who they were in close contact with while infectious. If you are positive for COVID-19 and have not yet connected with a public health specialist or need more information on services, call toll-free at 1-833-540-0473. Residents who do not have COVID-19 should continue to call 211 for resources or more information.

If a person tests negative, they must continue to take every precaution to avoid contracting the virus or spreading the virus to others.
Need help?
If you or someone you know in the Beach Cities needs help with health-related information and referrals, or errand assistance and meal delivery, please call our Assistance, Information & Referral line at 310-374-3426, ext. 256, Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. or visit us online at bchd.org/resources.