Dear Neighborhood Council Leaders:

We thank you for taking time to review the information sent yesterday related to the region’s efforts to, as Mayor Eric Garcetti stated, “Slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) by strengthening the local response to the outbreak with measures that include new limits on public gatherings in City facilities.” Los Angeles County Public Health Director, Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, advises that “there are key steps that we are asking members of the public, businesses and organization to do right now to help slow the spread of COVID-19.”

In this update to NC leaders, we provide information about efforts we are creating to keep communication fluid with you during this period. We are also offering graphics that will make it easier to share information on your social media platforms. In this and future emails, we will provide updates from local agencies and departments such as the below information from LADWP and LAUSD.  

Respectfully,
Get answer to your questions:
Join our live Q&A teleconference Tuesday 3/17
You’re invited to share your questions and concerns on coronavirus and NCs in a live Q&A session with our General Manager and other Department leadership on Tuesday March 17th. Details on how to join the session online or over the phone are below. This is a non transferable invitation that is only being extended to current Neighborhood Council board members. Consideration will be given to expanding participation at future sessions.

Please submit your questions in advance using this form by Tuesday March 17th at 12 noon PST: http://tiny.cc/COVIDteleconference  

To ensure we cover as much ground as possible in the time allotted, we may combine questions on related topics.

The teleconference will begin Tuesday March 17th, 2020 at 6:00 PM PST. There are three ways to join the session: 

  1. Click to join the webinar online from a desktop computer, tablet, or smartphone: https://zoom.us/j/216280081
  2. From an iPhone or Android smartphone, tap this link and your phone will automatically dial in and connect you: +16699009128,,216280081#  
  3. Call in from any mobile phone or landline: dial +1 669 900 9128 then enter this webinar ID number when prompted: 216 280 081
Social media graphics for sharing news about suspended NC meetings and events
Click to view and download graphics to use when announcing NC meeting and event cancellations in your social media posts or newsletters:



LADWP: service availability, tap water safety, & help for those financially impacted by COVID-19
In their March 12th newsletter, the Department of Water & Power assured customers that they have taken steps to ensure that the essential services they provide continue without interruption. They also remind Angelenos that LA tap water is high quality and safe to drink , so no need to waste money stocking up on bottled water at the store. 

LADWP is also offering extended payment plans for any customer suffering financial hardship due to coronavirus. If you have been affected, visit www.LADWP.com or call 800-DIAL-DWP (800-342-5397) to set up a payment plan.


LAUSD: Public schools closed for two weeks beginning Monday March 16th
As you may have heard, LAUSD schools will be closed as of Monday, March 16. Los Angeles school officials on Friday voted to shut down the nation’s second-largest school system effective Monday, citing concerns over the rapid spread of the coronavirus. Schools will be closed for two weeks while the situation is evaluated. 

There will be 40 LAUSD Family Resource Centers where students and families can receive services, including meals, starting on Wednesday, March 18th. The “family resource centers” will be open weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will offer childcare and hot meals.

The district hopes to have a list of Family Resource Center locations soon. Visit their website to keep up to date on this and other LAUSD developments: 

Credible sources for up-to-date local COVID-19 info
Since the coronavirus situation is constantly evolving, we caution you to please not share news or public health advice that may become dangerously outdated. If you instead post links to credible sources that are constantly updated, your post will remain evergreen. 
 
Here are suggested sources to share with your stakeholders: 
 
 
  • NotifyLA alerts: The City of Los Angeles will be sharing official coronavirus alerts with Angelenos via the NotifyLA system. Sign up at http://NotifyLA.org.
 
  • Mayor Garcetti’s webpage on COVID-19 is the official source for news on coronavirus in the City of Los Angeles: 


See all NC coronavirus updates in one place
This email is the third in our ongoing series of regular updates on how coronavirus is impacting Neighborhood Councils. See a linked list of all our NC COVID-19 updates at http://tiny.cc/NCcoronavirusupdates


We look forward to talking with you next Tuesday! In the meantime, we wish all of you a safe and healthy weekend.
@EmpowerLA