- Safer at Home Updates
- City Council Initiatives
- Social Distancing
- Enforcement of the Safer at Home Order
- Testing for the Coronavirus
- The Coronavirus - A Primary of Symptoms
- How Long Coronavirus Survives on Surfaces
- Home Hygiene
- Cleaning Cell Phones
- Direct Cash Payments
- Beach Closures
- DMV Services
- Employment Resources
- How to Help
- A Call for Medical Volunteers
- Donating Medical Supplies
- How to Stay Safe as a Volunteer
- Closures
- Resources
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A key subject in Mayor Eric Garcetti's address to the City of Los Angeles involved farmers markets
All
farmers markets
in Los Angeles will be suspended until they can show the City they have a plan to enforce safe social distancing among their patrons.
Markets will now be required to submit plans that enforce physical distancing to the Bureau of Street Services. Garcetti said that will likely mean markets need to have one entrance and one exit and must enforce a safe distance between people waiting in line. Markets will not be allowed to operate until they submit their plans.
Garcetti said the city also had to close
Silver Lake Meadow
, a popular spot near the Silver Lake Reservoir where sunbathers, families and friends gather on weekends. That closure adds to the numerous park and trail closures already in effect across the city and county.
Garcetti also said the city is expanding the
eviction moratorium
that's currently in effect. The City's moratorium on evictions covers both commercial and residential units, and tenants will now have a full year to pay back any rent they can't afford to pay during the current pandemic, per a city ordinance signed by the Mayor..
In addition, Garcetti is implementing a new emergency order that puts a temporary hold on all r
ent increases
in rent-stabilized units, of which he said there are 624,000 across 118,000 buildings in the city. Normally, landlords can increase the rent by 4% per year under the Rent Stabilization Order.
Here are some other takeaways from last night's address:
- LAPD visited 46 non-essential businesses that were refusing to close down, and Garcetti said those businesses will be referred for prosecution if they continue to operate
- 42 trailers have been delivered to the Westwood Recreation Center to expand the city's capacity to safely shelter people who are showing symptoms and need to be isolated or quarantined. By Wednesday, another 27 are expected to be placed at the Granada Hills Rec Center
- People are taking advantage of the reduced traffic to speed but that's causing "horrific accidents," Garcetti said. He warned drivers that LAPD officers will be issuing tickets.
- 8,373 tests have been completed by the city's fire and personnel departments. By the end of this week, the pace of testing could increase to 13,000 per week
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The Coronavirus - A Primer on Symptoms
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By now everyone knows the classic symptoms of the 2019 novel coronavirus. But as the COVID-19 pandemic has grown, so has the medical community’s understanding of the warning signs. Here’s what to keep an eye out for.
The Basics
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has identified three key symptoms of a coronavirus infection: Fever, cough (usually dry), and shortness of breath. The severity of these range from person to person, and not every infected person has all of them.
Infected patients have also reported a constellation of other less prevalent symptoms, according to a
World Health Organization report
: fatigue (38 percent), sore throat (13 percent), headache (13 percent), body aches (14 percent), and chills (11 percent).
Medical authorities say that most people experience mild symptoms that do not require a visit to the hospital. But the CDC says anyone with the following symptoms should seek medical attention: trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion or inability to arouse, bluish lips or face. Experts say a lingering temperature of 103 to 104 should be flagged to a doctor.
What Counts as a Fever?
The CDC defines a fever as an oral temperature reading of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Keep in mind that our body temperatures fluctuate over the course of the day, so if your temperature is 98.6 in the morning and 99.1 at night, that does not necessarily mean you are developing a fever. Health officials note that you get the most accurate reading if you wait 30 minutes after eating, drinking, or exercising, or six hours after taking any pain reliever or fever reducer.
Other Red Flags
As the number of COVID-19 cases have grown, health sleuths have started to spot new patterns among their patients and put out guidance.
Loss of smell, taste:
The American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery put out an alert
that “anecdotal evidence is rapidly accumulating” that these symptoms are associated with COVID-19. Anosmia, or loss of smell, has been seen in patients who tested positive but had no other symptoms, the academy said.
An ENT doctors’ organization
in the United Kingdom said that two out of three cases in Germany involved anosmia, and a similar proportion of South Korean patients with mild cases reported loss of smell. “There is potential that if any adult with anosmia but no other symptoms was asked to self-isolate for seven days, in addition to the current symptom criteria used to trigger quarantine we might be able to reduce the number of otherwise asymptomatic individuals who continue to act as vectors, not realizing the need to self-isolate,” the U.K. group wrote.
Digestive issues:
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
rushed out a China-based study
examining how common digestive problems are in coronavirus patients. It found that out of 204 patients, just about half reported a symptom—most commonly lack of appetite, followed by diarrhea, with a much smaller number with vomiting or abdominal pain. “As the severity of the disease increased, digestive symptoms became more pronounced,” the researchers wrote. “Clinicians should recognize that digestive symptoms, such as diarrhea, are commonly among the presenting features of COVID-19, and that the index of suspicion may need to be raised earlier in at-risk patients presenting with digestive symptoms. However, further large sample studies are needed to confirm these findings.”
Pink eye:
The American Academy of Ophthalmology notes there are scattered reports of COVID-19 presenting along with conjunctivitis, better known as pink eye, and at least one study suggests the virus is present in eye secretions. Separately, a nurse at the coronavirus-ridden Washington State nursing home Life Care Center
told CNN
that she saw what she described as red “allergy eyes” in all of her elderly, infected patients—although there is no official confirmation that’s a symptom.
What About Kids
Children infected with coronavirus can exhibit mild and more generic symptoms. The CDC describes them as “cold-like”—fever, runny nose, cough, vomiting, and diarrhea. A study of 2,143 pediatric patients in China,
published in the journal Pediatric
, found 90 percent of those who had the coronavirus had either no symptoms or mild or moderate illness. The study did find that the younger the child, the more likely they were to develop serious complications, with infants being at the highest risk. But there was only one death—a 14-year-old—in the study group. “Why most of the children’s COVID-19 cases were less severe than adults’ cases is puzzling,” the researchers wrote.
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How Long Coronavirus Survives on Surfaces
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Like the other 200 or so respiratory viruses we know of, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2),
the new coronavirus
, infects the cells of our airways.
It causes a range of signs and symptoms, or none at all. It can spread easily from person-to-person and can be coughed into the air and onto surfaces.
Viruses only replicate inside a living cell - outside the cell, they’re on a path to either infect us, or their own destruction. How long a virus survives outside a cell varies.
Researchers found
SARS-CoV-2 remains infectious in airborne droplets for at least three hours. This doesn’t mean infected humans produce enough virus in a cough to infect another person, but they might.
One method the coronavirus spreads is by touch. Hard, shiny surfaces such as plastic, stainless steel, benchtops, and likely glass can support infectious virus, expelled in droplets, for up to 72 hours. But the virus rapidly degrades during this time. On fibrous and absorbent surfaces such as cardboard, paper, fabric and hessian, it becomes inactive more quickly.
- Coronavirus lives longer on some surfaces than others.
- Research suggests it lives for up to 72 hours on hard, shiny surfaces.
- There are steps you can take to mitigate against this.
How can we reduce risk from surfaces and objects?
Frequently touched surfaces are all around us. Benches, handrails, door handles – they are in our homes, on our way to work, school, play, shop, and every other destination. There’s a risk of contaminating these surfaces if we touch them with virus-laden fingers, and a risk we’ll contract the virus from such surfaces.
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This guidance provides recommendations on the cleaning and disinfection of households. It is aimed at limiting the survival of the virus in the environments,
Cleaning
refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. Cleaning does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
Disinfecting
refers to using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface
after
cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
These
guidelines
are focused on household settings to minimize potential exposures.
- Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas (e.g. tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, and sinks)
- Household members should follow home care guidance when interacting with persons with suspected/confirmed COVID-19 and their isolation rooms/bathrooms.
- Disinfect high use areas (e.g., counters, door handles, light switches, sinks) twice daily
- Clean bathroom surfaces after each visit
- Wash bedding/sheets more frequently
- Change and launder clothing after each use
- Ensure kitchen utensils (e.g., tongs and/or spoons) are used for any food service)
- Discontinue the practice of reaching into bags/bowls for food and/or snacks (e.g., chips, crackers and other food stored in plastic, bags, cans, jars, etc.)
- Discontinue washing hands in the kitchen sink (apply reminder signage above sink)
- Increase frequency of hand washing (remove rings and scrub, clean under fingernails)
- Wash hands after handling trash
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You use your phone for several hours a day, including when you're checking your shopping list at the store. And studies have found the
coronavirus
may be able to survive on some surfaces for up to and maybe even longer than nine days -- and that includes your beloved phone.
This is the device you handle constantly and often press to the side of your face, which means that any bacteria, virus or other germ that makes its way onto your phone or case could easily transfer to your skin.
Washing your hands the right way
can help keep you and your loved ones from transmitting the virus, but what about cleaning your phone? The good news is that disinfecting your electronic device has officially become easier.
However, there are still cleaning agents and techniques to avoid. While you might initially see good results, these harsher methods can eventually damage the screen (or possibly the internal components) that you're working so hard to protect.
We're going to tell you what products to avoid and the best ways to disinfect your phone and clean off fingerprint smudges, sand and lint from the ports and tenacious makeup off the screen (hint: never with makeup remover).
Disinfect your phone: Wipes, not pure alcohol
If you touch your phone after touching a public door handle or grocery cart, you may immediately think to clean it with rubbing alcohol. Don't. Straight alcohol can strip the oleophobic and hydrophobic coatings that keep oil and water from damaging your display and other ports.
Some websites suggest creating a mix of alcohol and water yourself, but it's crucial to get the concentration right. Get it wrong and you could damage your phone. The safest bet is to use disinfectant wipes that contain 70% isopropyl alcohol to clean your phone screen.
AT&T's recently revised cleaning guidelines
suggest that you "spray a nonabrasive or alcohol-based (70% isopropyl) disinfectant directly on a soft lint-free cloth and wipe down your device while it is powered down and unplugged." An earlier version of the company's post suggested using paper towels, which are far too abrasive (see below). After we reached out, AT&T has since changed its post to reflect the soft cloth.
Samsung has also recently said
you can create an alcohol-based solution of 70% ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, applied with a microfiber cloth.
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Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations including the COVID-19 Pandemic. Stress during this time can include:
- Fear and worry about your health safety and wellbeing including your families
- Changes in sleep or eating patterns
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- Worsening of chronic health problems
- Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
Things you can do to support yourself during this time:
- Manage what you can and accept what you cannot .
- Find Trusted sources of information including the CDC and WHO
- Take breaks from COVDD-19 coverage as it can be overwhelming
- Take care of your body by taking deep breaths, stretching, or meditating.
- Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.
- Social distancing is not the same as social isolation. Be creative and explore various ways to remain connected.
- More information and resources to assist you during this time can be found at https://corona-virus.la/
If your coping strategies become overwhelmed, please seek Professional Assistance:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
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Congressional leaders and President Donald Trump announced a bipartisan deal on a massive $2 trillion emergency economic package that includes direct cash payments to people across the country to help them through the crisis.
But who’s eligible to get a check, and for how much? Here are some questions and answers about who qualifies for cash from the federal government:
How much will I get?
It depends on how much you make. If you made less than $75,000 in 2019, you will be eligible for the full payment of $1,200.
Couples who filed jointly and made less than $150,000 will get $2,400. An individual who filed as "head of household" and earned $112,500 or less gets $1,200.
For every child in the household, you will receive an additional $500.
If you made more than $75,000, your payment will be reduced by $5 for every $100 of income that exceeds the limits. So if you made $80,000 in 2019, you will receive $950. The payment decreases to zero for an individual making $99,000 or more or a couple making $198,000 or more.
If you're a family of four, you’ll be eligible for a maximum of $3,400.
When is the money coming?
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Wednesday the checks will be sent out "within three weeks" to people for whom the IRS has information. You don't need to sign up or fill out a form to receive a payment if you've been working and paying taxes since 2018.
The Treasury Department will also run a "public awareness campaign" with information about the program, including for people who didn’t file a tax return for 2018 or 2019.
Will there be multiple payments?
No, this legislation only authorizes one-time payments. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested on CNN that Congress could revisit the issue: "We think we'll get more direct payments in another bill."
Where do I sign up?
You don't. There's no sign up. The payments will be automatic for people who have filed a tax return or gotten Social Security benefits recently. The IRS asks people not to call with questions, but to keep checking this
website
where they will post updates about the program once they are available.
How will the money be sent?
If you've gotten a tax refund in the last two years by direct deposit, that's where the money will be sent. If not, the IRS can mail a check to your "last known address," and it has 15 days to notify you of the method and amount of the payment. They'll send a phone number and appropriate point of contact so you can tell them if you didn't receive it.
If you’ve moved recently, it may be a good idea to notify the IRS as soon as possible. The IRS also suggests that if you haven't yet filed a tax return for 2018 or 2019, do it as soon as you can, so that the government has your up-to-date information on file.
How does the gov't calculate how much I earned?
Have you filed your taxes for 2019 already? If so, the checks will automatically be based on your 2019 return. Look for your "adjusted gross income" (Line 7 on your Form 1040 tax return in 2018, or line 8B on a 2019 return.) If you haven't filed your 2019 taxes yet, it'll be based on your 2018 return.
I'm on Social Security, or don’t make enough to file a tax return. Will I get a check?
Yes. Even if you didn't file a tax return for 2018 or 2019 or pay taxes in those years, you will be eligible if you received a Form SSA-1099 for the year 2019. That's a form that the Social Security Administration sends each year to people who receive Social Security benefits, including retirement and disability.
I’m a disabled vet but don't pay taxes. Do I qualify?
Yes, although some of the details still need to be worked out. The IRS is expected to set up a system so that disabled veterans don't fall through the cracks.
I'm a college student. Do I get a check?
If your parents claim you as a dependent on their taxes, you're ineligible. But if
you've been working and filing taxes independently in recent years, you may qualify.
Click on the
link for a full text of the stimulus package.
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All Los Angeles County public beaches — including bathrooms, piers, promenades, and bike paths — are being closed until at least Apr. 19 to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
Supervisor Janice Hahn announced the order from public health officer Muntu Davis in a written statement just ahead of the County's
daily coronavirus task force briefing
.
“The crowds we saw at our beaches last weekend were unacceptable. In order to save lives, beaches in LA County will be temporarily closed. I understand that this is a huge sacrifice for everyone who enjoys going to our beaches. But we cannot risk another sunny weekend with crowds at the beach spreading this virus. This closure is temporary and we can always reopen these beaches when it is safe to do so.”
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In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has closed all its field offices, effective today, and all existing appointments at those offices have been canceled.
The DMV is creating a new virtual hub to handle essential services, which is slated to launch April 2 at
virtual.dmv.ca.gov.
Customers will soon be able to complete transactions with DMV staff online that had previously required in-person office visits, including vehicle registration renewal and title transfers. Officials say more transaction options will be added gradually.
Services already available online — and through mail and public kiosks — will continue, officials said. You can
visit the DMV's website
for more information.
"Californians who do not have an urgent need to go to a DMV field office should delay their visit, including those interested in applying for a REAL ID," DMV officials
said in a news release
.
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Do you need assistance with unemployment? Looking with work? Here are some resources for to consider:
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Here are some things you can do — so long as you are healthy, not a member of a vulnerable population, and are meeting all advised public health requirements:
- Donate to food banks and volunteer to ensure our most vulnerable populations are still able to provide for their families. Much needed items include canned goods, peanut butter, toilet paper, antibacterial cleansers, and financial contributions.
- Volunteer with the American Red Cross to help distribute meals to students affected by school closures or as a volunteer blood donor to address the current blood shortage.
- Do neighbor check-ins. Offer to pick up groceries or medications for those who aren't able to and stay connected by calling your neighbors, friends, and loved ones who might appreciate human connection despite social distancing.
- Consider virtual volunteer opportunities with organizations like L.A. Works.
- Check-in with your local homebound meal delivery programs. Many of them are scaling up to support the increased need and are looking for volunteers. Find a location near you and call to ask if they need assistance.
- Contribute to our L.A. Emergency COVID-19 Crisis Fund to support the City of L.A.'s efforts to support families, health care workers, small businesses, our unhoused neighbors, and more.
At this time, the City of Los Angeles is not implementing in-the-field volunteers in response to COVID-19. However, the City recognizes that many people will want to help if the need arises. If you'd like to help, sign up for the Community COVID-19 Response Volunteer Interest List, please click on the following:
COVID-19 Response Volunteer Interest List
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A Call for Medical Volunteers
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The City of Los Angeles has
a need for medical professionals
to support a surge in medical cases across Los Angeles due to the coronavirus pandemic. In an effort to fill that need, officials have created t
he City of Los Angeles Emergency Medical Corps and established an easy-to-use
portal
where medical professionals can submit their information and sign up to help.
Sign up today to be considered for both paid and pro-bono opportunities coming available at this time.
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Donating Medical Supplies
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The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services has identified three drop-off locations for business, organizations, and individuals looking to
donate new and unused medical supplies
. For general questions, please contact (323)914-7926 or email
mdesupply@dhs.lacounty.gov
Locations:
LAC-USC Medical Center
Supply Chain Operations Warehouse
1900 Zonal Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90033
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Supply Chain Operations Warehouse
1000 West Carson Street
Torrance, CA 90502
Olive View-UCLA Medical Center
Supply Chain Operations Warehouse
14445 Olive View Drive
Sylmar, CA 91342
New and unused items that are being accepted:
- Disposable face masks
- N95 masks
- Eye protection, including face shields
- Disposable gowns
- Disposable gloves
- Disposable surgical caps
- Disposable foot covers
- Wipes – bleach or antimicrobial
- Hand sanitizer
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Staying Safe as a Volunteer
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The
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
has issued recommendations to ensure that volunteers and clients remain healthy during the pandemic.
Among the highlights:
- Those who are sick are advised to stay home and not return to work until they are free of fever for at least 72 hours without fever-reducing medication.
- Volunteers and employees who appear to be ill upon arrival to work or become sick during the day should be sent home immediately.
Clients Who Show Signs of Illness:
- Advise sick clients to stay home and ask a friend or neighbor to pick up their groceries.
- Have signs posted in visible locations asking clients to remain home if they are sick, even with mild illness.
- Provide clients with additional napkins or tissues to use when they cough or sneeze.
- Ensure that bathrooms are fully stocked with soap, single-use towels/hand dryers and no-touch trash receptacles.
- Recommend providing alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol for clients.
- Instruct volunteers and employees that prepare and serve food to keep a 6-foot distance between themselves and clients who appear ill as much as possible.
Accepting donated food:
From Individuals and Private Households
- Only accept uncooked, pre-packaged food products from individuals and private households (such as canned food items, boxed cereals, etc.).
From Food Facilities
- You may accept whole produce, prepared food, prepackaged food, and expired prepackaged food (except expired infant formula and baby food) from permitted food facilities such as restaurants, hotels, grocers, food processing facilities, food distributors, and caterers. o Donated foods that require temperature control must always remain at 41 ̊F or below for cold foods or 135 ̊F or above for hot foods, prior to transportation.
- Ask the donor to provide the temperature of the food and the time the temperature was taken prior to delivery to the agency.
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In order to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, the City has ordered temporary closures of the following sites:
- Los Angeles City Hall - temporarily closed to non-City employees.
- Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Facilities - all facilities, parking lots, playgrounds, and programming will be closed until Saturday, April 4th. Restrooms will remain open.
- Los Angeles City and County Public Libraries - temporarily closed until further notice.
- Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs - all events and facilities (including Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock) will be closed until further notice.
- Los Angeles Unified School District - classes in all grades are cancelled until May 5. Family Resource Centers will open for food pickup.
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The following resources are a great sources of up-to-date information on the coronavirus and how it might affect day-to-day life:
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