Hope is on the horizon –– the Food and Drug Administration's vaccine advisory committee endorsed the first COVID-19 vaccine yesterday.

View this email in your browser ([link removed])
[link removed]
[link removed] Share ([link removed])
[link removed]: https%3A%2F%2Fmailchi.mp%2Flamayor.org%2Fstaying-home-to-stop-the-spread Tweet ([link removed]: https%3A%2F%2Fmailchi.mp%2Flamayor.org%2Fstaying-home-to-stop-the-spread)
[link removed] Forward ([link removed])
Hi ,

Hope is on the horizon –– the Food and Drug Administration's vaccine advisory committee endorsed the first COVID-19 vaccine. If approved, it will help stop this deadly disease. But the worst of this pandemic is not yet behind us. It will take months before many Angelenos get vaccinated, so we're in for a long, hard winter.

The nightmare scenario we’ve managed to avoid is staring us in the face: COVID-19 cases at record highs. Hospitals coming dangerously close to exceeding their ICU capacity. More and more lives lost every day to this virus.

We must act now to protect our loved ones and our community. Please follow the guidance from County and State public health officials asking everyone to stay home as much as possible and limit non-essential activities.

All of us have sacrificed so much this year –– and we are all frustrated and fatigued. Yet as the worst hits us, we need to keep doing our part. We need to stay home and avoid gatherings with anyone outside of our household. We need to wear masks and maintain our physical distance from others anytime we leave our homes. We need to thoroughly wash our hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. These steps will save lives.

The State’s Regional Stay Home Order ([link removed]) went into effect this week. These closures and restrictions will work, if we follow them. They worked for us in the spring and they worked in many countries around the world this fall when the virus spiked there.

Los Angeles County and City already acted last week ([link removed]) , so most of the state’s restrictions are not new. What changed is that personal care services –– like hair and nail salons, along with zoos, museums, and aquariums –– as well as family entertainment centers, like miniature golf, batting cages, and go-kart tracks, are closed.

Hotels are closed to tourists and can only provide accommodation for essential activities. Campgrounds cannot have overnight stays.

Please do not travel unless absolutely necessary. Just like Thanksgiving, we need to stay home for Christmas and celebrate with our loved ones virtually or only with members of our own households.

Our website ([link removed]) has additional details and resources to support residents, workers, and businesses during these challenging times.
[link removed]

I know these changes can be overwhelming, and this crisis can feel like it’ll never end. And it’s even harder when the rules keep changing. But we have to keep at it. We have simply lost too many of our neighbors to this deadly virus.

Simply put: L.A. is facing the greatest threat to life in the history of our city –– and the decisions we make right now will help us protect our healthcare workers and beat this virus.

As we continue to endure this pandemic, I strongly encourage outdoor recreation and exercise. Our physical fitness and mental health are absolutely vital, especially during these stressful times. We can take walks through our neighborhoods, visit our beaches, run trails, or go on hikes with members of our households. Reach out to a friend or loved one virtually to check in. Let’s get through this, together.

New COVID-19 assistance
COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on our economy and families. A new federal relief package is long overdue, and we need help from Washington to deliver the assistance needed right now.

But here in L.A., we’re doing everything we can to help Angelenos through these difficult times, including new programs to provide assistance for food service workers, local businesses, and vulnerable students:
* The SERVE initiative is providing financial assistance to thousands of food service workers. Visit Coronavirus.LACity.org/SERVE ([link removed]) to learn more.
* L.A. Optimized is helping our local businesses go digital with website optimization, branding, marketing, and more. Businesses can learn more at Coronavirus.LACity.org/LAOptimized ([link removed]) .
* The Angeleno Connectivity Trust is providing free internet service to K-12 students experiencing homelessness, children in foster care, young people with disabilities, and at-risk youth. More information can be found at LAMayor.org/Connectivity ([link removed]) .

[link removed]

You can find more information on our COVID-19 website ([link removed]) .

Preparing for the holidays
There’s nothing tougher than knowing we can’t get together with our families or friends over the holidays. But we have to make changes now so we can get back to our favorite traditions next year.

So let’s spread #LALove by celebrating the holidays safer at home or virtually. It’s time to cancel any holiday gatherings and avoid non-essential travel. These choices are necessary to protect the people we love, and you can find creative ideas for the coming season at Coronavirus.LACity.org/Holidays ([link removed]) .

Every year, my wife, Amy, and I partner with LA Original to support small businesses during this time. Usually, we invite local makers and shops to exhibit their items at Getty House and invite shoppers to find holiday gifts in person. These enterprises have been — and remain — the cornerstones of our city.

Even though we can’t pick out gifts in person, we can still step forward to support our small businesses virtually. You can visit LAOriginal.com ([link removed]) to shop at 50 local establishments — many owned and operated by women and Angelenos of color.
[link removed]

I know how tough this is, and I know we just want this pandemic to end and some sense of normalcy to return. But I also know that every one of us has a part to play to reach our goal –– and save lives. There’s hope in a vaccine, but until it’s available to all of us, we must trust our State and County public health officials and follow their guidance.

I have no doubt we will get through this, as one city. That begins by doing what we’ve done from the start: stay healthy, stay safe, and stay home.

[link removed]
Eric Garcetti
Your Mayor
[link removed] Share ([link removed])
[link removed]: https%3A%2F%2Fmailchi.mp%2Flamayor.org%2Fstaying-home-to-stop-the-spread Tweet ([link removed]: https%3A%2F%2Fmailchi.mp%2Flamayor.org%2Fstaying-home-to-stop-the-spread)
[link removed] Forward ([link removed])

============================================================
** Website ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
** LinkedIn ([link removed])
Copyright © 2020 Los Angeles Mayor's Office, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you signed up for our newsletter.

Our mailing address is:
Los Angeles Mayor's Office
200 N Spring St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp
[link removed]