Coronavirus Updates and Resources from Rep. Lieu

Dear neighbor, 

Even though we’re still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, civic engagement is more important than ever. There are a number of ways you can do your part to help our community build a brighter future.

If you haven’t already, please fill out your 2020 Census form - time is running out! Filling out the Census is the quickest and easiest way to make a difference in our community. Every resident in the United States must be counted to ensure the appropriate distribution of federal funds to benefit local schools, hospitals, infrastructure and more. If you haven’t already done so, please visit My2020Census.gov or call 844-330-2020 today to be counted.

Another easy and safe way to help our community is to vote. Next week I’ll be participating in a telephone town hall with LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn and California Secretary of State Alex Padilla to answer questions on how LA County voters can cast their ballots in the 2020 election. Please join us Tuesday, October 13th at 6 PM and bring your voting-related questions. To register, please click here and dial 888-410-3427 to join.

As a community, it’s our civic duty to stand up for each other and ensure everyone can live and work safely. Unfortunately, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a rise in hate crimes, harassment and discrimination. These incidents have been occurring on the streets, in supermarkets, online and elsewhere. Last night, I joined Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager and four expert panelists to draw attention to the recent rise in hate crimes and provide LA County residents with resources for how and where to report hate. To watch our full discussion, please click here. If you experience or witness a hateful act, please go to LAvshate.org or call 2-1-1 to report it. We all have the power to stand up to hate and protect our neighbors during this difficult time.

And of course, one of the best ways to help one another is to follow public health guidance around COVID-19. Please continue to wash your hands frequently; practice social distancing; and wear a mask in public. The virus remains highly contagious, so we must each continue to do our part in reducing its impact on our friends, neighbors and loved ones. Thank you for your dedicated efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community. 

Your weekly reminder: 

1. Starting this week, ballots will be mailed to every registered voter in Los Angeles County. Please remember to check your mail to see if you’ve received your ballot. You can cast your vote by returning your ballot by mail; dropping it off at a ballot drop box or voting center; or voting in person. Some vote centers will be available for early in-person voting on October 24th and all vote centers will be available on October 30th through Election Day on November 3rd. To track your ballot, please click here. For more information on voting in LA County, please visit lavote.net and make a plan to vote.
   
   
   
   
2. Please remember to 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. 
   
   
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 of Los Angeles leaders announced a partnership with SafePass, a mobile app to help expand local efforts to contract trace and contain the spread of COVID-19. 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. 

COVID-19 Updates

From the State 

This week, Covered California for Small Business, which allows small businesses to provide their employees with a variety of health care coverage options, announced health plan choices and rates for 2021. The statewide weighted average rate change will be 1.5 percent, which is the lowest annual increase in the program’s history. The low rate change will help meet the needs of small business employers and employees across California during this challenging time. For more information on the Covered California for Small Business 2021 plans, please click here.

From LA County

Outdoor playgrounds in LA County can reopen at the discretion of cities and LA County parks. While at outdoor playgrounds, all parents or caregivers must wear a mask, keep their distance from people not in their household, and sanitize children’s hands before and after using the equipment.

In addition, wineries and breweries in LA County may reopen for outdoor operations with the proper infection control protocols in place. 

Retail shops at indoor shopping malls may also reopen at 25% maximum capacity or for curbside pick-up. For protocols for indoor shopping centers, please click here.   

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.
   
   
3. If you own or operate a business and three or more of your employees become infected with COVID-19, you are required to report the outbreak immediately by calling 888-397-3993. To learn more about how to protect your employees, click here.
   
   
4. If you have ideas about how to help LA County financially recover from this pandemic, whether it be ways to assist struggling businesses or cost-savings plans, please submit them at prosperla.lacounty.gov.
   
   
   
   
5. If you’re seeking financial relief, you may be eligible for 20% off your monthly gas bill through the SoCalGas CARE program. Learn more here.
   
   
6. Unfortunately, scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding the coronavirus. To avoid scams, it’s important to practice good cyber hygiene and watch out for unknown links and emails. For more tips on how to avoid coronavirus scams, please visit ftc.gov/coronavirus.
   
   
   
   
7. 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. 
   
   
8. If you’re struggling to afford rent and you’re not sure what to do, Stay Housed LA is here to help tenants stay in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn about your tenant rights, please sign up for a Tenant Workshop and Legal Clinic at StayHousedLA.org.
   
   
   
   
9. If you haven’t received your stimulus check, please click here to check the status of your payment or contact United Way’s Economic Impact Payment Helpline at (844) 322-3639. Remember, this money is not taxable.
   
   
10. The IRS recently extended the deadline for non-filers to register for an Economic Impact Payment (EIP) through November 21, 2020. If you don’t typically file a tax return and you haven’t received a stimulus check, please click here to register for an EIP.
    
    
11. Starting this week, schools with transitional Kindergarten through 2nd grade programs can apply for a waiver to resume in-person instruction. For more information, click here.
    
    
    
    
12. If you believe you’ve been a victim of price gouging, please report the incident at stoppricegouging.dcba.lacounty.gov or call (800) 593-8222.
    
    
13. Air quality is still unhealthy in parts of LA County. Please click here to view the October 7th Air Quality Advisory. If you are spending time in areas with low air quality, please reduce physical exertion outdoors.

For additional information on COVID-19, please visit my coronavirus webpage and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. For updates from California and LA County, go to covid19.ca.gov, and covid19.lacounty.gov. We must keep up the hard work to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please remember to wash your hands frequently; wear a mask in public; and practice social distancing. I look forward to updating you again soon.

Stay safe. 

Sincerely, 

Ted W. Lieu 
Member of Congress