Coronavirus Updates and Resources from Rep. Lieu

Dear neighbor, 

This week, I joined local leaders in California’s 33rd District for a virtual forum to discuss the importance of a full and complete 2020 Census count for our community. A full count would help fund critical services we need to fight the coronavirus including hospitals, emergency services and medical assistance programs. It will also help ensure our communities receive adequate resources to benefit local schools, roads and more for the next ten years. The deadline to complete your form is approaching. If you haven’t done so already, please take just 10 minutes to visit 2020census.gov and respond to the Census today. Please also check with your neighbors and friends to see if they’ve responded.  

The COVID-19 crisis has now claimed over 200,000 American lives. That is more than the number of Americans killed in battle over the country’s last five wars combined. The virus has taken a heavy toll on all of us. To prevent future deaths, please do your part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and wear a mask in public; practice social distancing; and wash your hands frequently. Your actions have the potential to save lives.  

An Air Quality Advisory is in place in parts of Los Angeles County. To check the air quality in your area, please go to fire.airnow.gov. If the air quality in your area is poor, please stay indoors as much as possible, close the windows and stay up to date with smoke advisories in your community. 

Your weekly reminder: 

1. If you haven’t done so already, please get your flu shot to stay healthy this season. It is likely that both COVID-19 and the flu will be present at the same time in LA County this year. You can get a flu shot at any local pharmacy. For quick flu facts and frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and the flu, click here. 
   
   
2. Every registered voter in California will receive a mail-in ballot in time for the November election. You can return your ballot by mail, in person at any Vote by Mail drop box location, or at any Vote Center in LA County. For more information on how to safely vote in the upcoming election, please go to sos.ca.gov/elections and lavote.net. To sign up to be a poll worker in your community, please go to powerthepolls.org.
   
   
   
   
3. If you tested positive for COVID-19, you should expect a call or text from a county public health specialist as part of an effort to contact trace and contain the spread of the virus. They are not law enforcement officers and will not ask about immigration status. If you tested positive for COVID-19 and have not yet heard from a contact tracer, please call 1-833-540-0473. LA County and City leaders recently announced a partnership with SafePass, a mobile app to help expand local efforts to contract trace and contain the spread of COVID-19. The app will allow users to self-report their symptoms, track any close contacts with other users and alert them of any potential exposure. All contact tracing data is completely confidential and private to the user. For more information on the app and to download your SafePass, please go to citizen.com/safepass.
   
   
4. Have you witnessed fraud, waste, or abuse of coronavirus pandemic relief funds? Congress has approved over $3 trillion in federal spending to combat the pandemic and I am committed to ensuring your tax dollars are being spent properly. I encourage you to visit coronavirus.house.gov/contact/tip-line or call 202-225-4400 today to report waste, fraud, or abuse of COVID-19 funds. 

Updates

From the State 

On Tuesday, California issued new health guidelines allowing nail salons to reopen in all counties with infection control protocols in place. However, Los Angeles County has yet to set timing for the reopening of nail salons. To stay up to date on LA County’s reopening guidelines, please go to covid19.lacounty.gov. 

The state of California is seeing a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths. As of September 24, the state average for new daily cases is 3,170 and the 14-day average for test positivity rate is 3.1%. For more statewide COVID-19 data, click here.

Graph from CA COVID-19 State Dashboard

In the midst of a pandemic and record-breaking wildfires, California is also taking bold steps to tackle climate change. This week, Governor Newsom released the California Climate Investment Framework, which outlines a statewide investment approach to transition to a clean economy. The state also launched the nation’s first Climate Action Corps, a volunteer-led initiative to empower Californians to protect themselves and their homes from the impacts of climate change. To join the California Climate Action Corps, click here.  

From LA County

Los Angeles County is currently in Tier 1 of California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy to determine when it is safe for counties to reopen critical sectors of the economy. On September 23rd, LA public health officials announced that LA County has reduced community transmission enough to begin qualifying for a potential move to Tier 2 in the coming weeks. The county’s adjusted daily case rate currently meets the metric for Tier 2 and the testing positivity rate currently meets the metric for Tier 3. However, to move to Tier 2, LA County must sustain these numbers for a period of at least two consecutive weeks.

Data as of September 22, 2020

Additional Resources 

1. All LA County residents who would like to get tested should first contact their Primary Care Provider to see if they offer COVID-19 tests. If you cannot access a test through your provider, LA County is offering free testing, which is available for those experiencing symptoms; those working or living in a high-risk facility; those who were in close contact with someone with COVID-19; and/or essential workers with frequent contact with the public. For more information and to sign up for a test near you, go to covid19.lacounty.gov/testing.
   
   
2. For updated data on COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in California and LA County, go to update.covid19.ca.gov and publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/data/index.htm. 
   
   
3. To see what is currently open and closed in LA County, click here. For industry-specific reopening protocols and safety measures, please click here. 
   
   
4. September is Suicide Prevention Month, and now more than ever we need to support each other and pay attention to our mental health. If you’re feeling stressed, anxious or depressed, please call the 24-hour mental health access line at the number below. For additional resources, please visit dmh.lacounty.gov. Remember, you are not alone.
   
   
   
5. For veterans struggling with mental health, please click here to find local resources and be connected with nearby support systems. If you want to help a veteran in need, learn how you can be there for them at veteranscrisisline.net/support.
   
   
6. Veterans in crisis or those concerned about a veteran can call the Veterans Crisis Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1), or text 838255.
   
   
7. If you’re a business owner with fewer than 500 employees and you paid leave related to COVID-19, you may be eligible for tax relief. To learn more, click here.
   
   
   
   
8. If you have ideas about how LA County can recover financially from the COVID-19 pandemic, please go to prosperla.lacounty.gov to share.
   
   
   
   
9. Price gouging is illegal. If you believe you have been a victim of price gouging due to the pandemic or the recent wildfires, please report it at stoppricegouging.dcba.lacounty.gov or call the LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs at (800) 593-8222.
   
   
10. September is National Preparedness Month and the perfect time to ensure you and your family are prepared in case of an emergency. For documents, videos and links with information to help you stay prepared, please go to caloes.ca.gov. 
    
    
11. COVID-19 is still present in our community. Please remember to continue doing the following to help prevent the spread.
    
    
12. If you or someone you know is in need of food during this pandemic, please go to covid19.lacounty.gov/food to be connected to nearby food resources.
    
    
13. If you’ve recently tested positive for COVID-19, you may be eligible to participate in a research study. The Westside Medical Associates of Los Angeles, in partnership with the Montreal Heart Institute, is investigating whether a medicine called colchicine is effective as a short-term treatment for COVID-19. To be eligible for the study, you must be diagnosed with definite or probable COVID-19 in the last 36 hours, not hospitalized and 40 years of age or older. You do not need to leave your home to participate. If you meet the criteria and are interested in participating, please call the study hotline at 1-877-536-6837. If you are a patient of Westside Medical Associates of Los Angeles, please call 310-289-5221. For more information, please visit colcorona.net.

Thank you for your continued efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community. As we continue to fight this virus, please remember to wash your hands frequently; practice social distancing; and wear a mask in public. For more information on the coronavirus, please visit my coronavirus webpage and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. I look forward to updating you again soon.

Stay safe. 

Sincerely, 

Ted W. Lieu 
Member of Congress