As always, Our Weekly wishes to keep readers well-informed, hence the past four weeks of special issues, containing stories related to the pandemic and the following resource guide.
During this extraordinary time of crisis, we want each of you to take coronavirus measures seriously and stay in your homes as much as possible. Both Mayor Eric Garcetti and Gov. Gavin Newsom have issued executive orders requiring social distancing. Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of the LA County Department of Public Health says there are weeks to go before these orders are lifted.
The latest city guideline recommends that Angelenos wear non-medical face coverings when in public.
Please remember to check on your neighbors, friends and relatives during this time of isolation. We especially like the governor’s suggestion to contact five persons each day.
Los Angeles County has opened a new COVID-19 mobile testing site at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), 1731 E. 120th St. Call your healthcare provider to determine if you are symptomatic and if a test is needed. No walk-ups accepted. Other test sites are listed at www.ourweekly.com
The CDU is also slated to begin analyzing demographic data to determine the novel coronavirus’ effect on diverse, multiracial communities across LA County.
We want to remind readers that everyone can do their part to help us respond to this emerging public health threat:
—The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending the use of a cloth face covering to keep people who are infected but do not have symptoms from spreading COVID-19 to others.
—The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
—The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 masks. Medical face masks are critical supplies that should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders, as recommended by CDC.
—The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
—CDC continues to recommend that people try to keep about six feet between themselves and others.
American Red Cross
https://www.redcrossblood.org/local/california/ losangeles.html
California’s Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) is calling on all healthy and eligible Californians to donate blood to help offset the severe supply shortage occurring due to the pandemic. To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit the website.
California Attorney General’s Office
http://oag.ca.gov/report
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra encourages anyone who has been the victim of a scam or who otherwise has information about products that are falsely routed as coronavirus treatments, tests, or cures to immediately file a complaint through the website.
California Black Chamber of Commerce
Home
This site has information about California’s $50 million micro lending program to help small businesses.
California coronavirus response
https://covid19.ca.gov
Services and information on education, business, healthcare, taxes and housing can be found on this website, as well as a covid-19 response toolkit.
California Department of Public Health
www.calph.ca.gov
Stay informed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
California Healthcorps Healthcorps.ca.gov
If you have a background in healthcare — medical doctors, nurses, respiratory therapist, behavioral health scientist, pharmacists, EMTs, medical and administrative assistance, as well as certified nursing assistance—you are encouraged to step up and meet this moment to help California respond to the outbreak.
To be eligible for COVID-19 emergency medical staffing roles you must be:
—18 years of age or over
—Eligible to work in the U.S.
—Have a valid driver’s license or passport and a social security card
—Have a valid California license for clinical practice if you are an MD, DO, etc.
—A medical resident or nursing student
—Without negative licensure/certification actions (for licensed/certified professionals
California Hotline
(833) 544-2374
The hotline will allow individuals to get answers to their questions about the coronavirus, and connect people to real services in real-time.
California Labor and Workforce Development Agency
Labor and Workforce Development Agency
If you are a worker or employer who has been affected by COVID-19, you can find guidance and resources on this site.
Census 2020
Cacensus.org
Answer a simple questionnaire about yourself and everyone who is living and sleeping in your home most of the time, including young children, roommates, friends and family members as of April 1. Every 10 years the entire U.S population is counted. There is no citizenship question on the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau will never ask you for your Social Security number; money or donations; anything on behalf of a political party; your bank or credit card account numbers.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/
Different parts of the country are seeing different levels of COVID-19 activity. The United States nationally is in the acceleration phase of the pandemic. The duration and severity of each pandemic phase can vary depending on the characteristics of the virus and the public health response.
Coronavirus testing
coronavirus.lacity.org/testing
Those who have symptoms must call their healthcare provider first to determine if they are eligible for testing. To make an appointment, go to the website. There are 13 testing sites across the county, in partnership with the County Department of Public Health.
Covered California – Enrollment
www.healthforcalifornia.com/covered-ca
Get Quotes in 30 seconds. Apply in 5-10 minutes.
Employment Development Department
Unemployment benefits
https://edd.ca.gov/unemployment/filing_a_ claim.htm
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Irs.gov/coronavirus
Report fraud to ftc.gov/complaint
Do not give anyone your personal information to “sign-up” for your relief check. There is nothing to sign up for, as checks will be automatic. Scammers are pretending to be from the government. In the coming weeks, the IRS will be setting up an online form available through its website, but nowhere else and never in respond to an email, text or call. No one has early access to coronavirus relief checks. The timeline for this process is not exact and scammers are using the lack of detail to try to trick people into giving their personal information and money.
L.A. Protects
Laprotects.org/#individuals
A partnership (Coronavirus.lacity.org/LAprotects) to organize the city’s fashion and garment industry to make protective gear and other medical supplies for frontline workers. Businesses and individuals who need to purchase masks can visit the site and fill out a form to provide more information about your organization and your protective gear needs.
Legal Aid
https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Need-Legal-Help//free-Legal-Help.
Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation
COVID-19 Updates & Reopening
Most botanic gardens, lakes and local, community and regional parks have been closed to the public since Sunday, April 12.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
www.publichealth.lacounty.gov
https://www.211la.org/public-health-and-safety/coronavirus
DHS.lacounty.gov – Department of Health Services
Visit the site for guidance on resource about food transportation, cleaning and disinfecting. Follow safer-at-home guidelines to make a difference in ability to lessen scope of infection. Department regularly models trajectory of pandemic in the county. This department also keeps hospital bed counts in the county and counts on the number of test results in the county.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services
Facebook @LACoDPSS
Twitter@LACo_DPSS
Instagram@laco_dpss
Los Angeles County Department of Workforce Development Aging and Community Services (WDACS)
(800) 510-2020
Meal programs for seniors
Adults 65 and older must send a family member, friend or caregiver under 65 to pick up meals . Call to find a meal provider and local meal sites.
Los Angeles County Department of Emergency Management
Provides critical functions, such as medical shelters preparing for coronavirus surge. Six medical shelter sites (motels, hotels, Rvs) are being operated for quarantine and isolation.
Los Angeles Department of Mental Health
(800) 854-7771
https://dmh.lacounty.gov
Los Angeles Department of Public Works
https://dpw.lacity.org
This site has a list of resources for seniors and other vulnerable Angelenos during the pandemic; information on testing; and how the city is partnering with YMCA to provide additional hygiene facilities to the homeless.
Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD)
911 services
www.lafd.org – click “news” button
The department continues to share informative messages from the Emergency Management Department, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the LA County Health Department in multiple languages.
Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department
Hcidla.lacity.org
Hcidla.lacity.org/ask-hcidla
(866) 557-7368 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekends
There are protections from the city, though tenants are still obligated to pay lawfully charged rent. Tenants must make sure to communicate with their landlord, should there be any problems doing so. No property owners shall issue no-fault evictions or charge late fees on any unpaid rent. If you get an eviction notice, call the department immediately.
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority
www.lahsa.org
Bringing homeless indoors and providing outreach to those on the streets.
Los Angeles City Hall
coronavirus.lacity.org
(213) 978-1028 – Mayor’s help desk
There will NOT be any electricity or water shut offs during the emergency regardless of your ability to pay. There is reduced parking enforcement on street sweeping days, as everyone should be staying home and staying safe.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
(800) 799-SAFE
Small Business Assistance
Coronavirus.lacity.org/CARESCorps
(833) 238-4450
Clear explanations of the two emergency loan programs. Directly access applications. Counselors trained in completing SBA loan applications can offer life assistance through the dedicated call-in center.
Small Business Association
SBA District Office
312 N Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
818-552-3201
Visit website: lado@sba.gov
Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was just passed by Congress is intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now. When implemented, there will be many new resources available for small businesses, as well as certain non- profits and other employers.
The Paycheck Protection program would provide cash-flow assistance through 100 percent federally guaranteed loans to employers who maintain their payroll during this emergency. Small businesses and other eligible entities will be able to apply if they were harmed by COVID-19 between February 15 and June 30, 2020. This program would be retroactive to February 15 in order to help bring workers who may have already been laid off back onto payrolls. Loans are available through June 30.
Southern California Gas Co.
(800) 427-2200 – Customer Service
SoCalGas reminds customers to be on the alert for potential scams. The utility does not call customers setting payment. Never provide your personal information, Social Security number, credit card number or bank account number. Never share names and passwords with anyone claiming to be a utility representative. Always ask to see a SoCalGas photo ID badge before letting someone inside your home.
Southern California Edison
https://www.sce.com/safetycoronavirus
SCE is offering payment assistance options for customers, including payment extension and
