Coronavirus Updates and Resources from Rep. Lieu

Dear neighbor, 

As Los Angeles County continues to see record-high case numbers and deaths due to COVID-19, my priority is ensuring you and your families have the resources you need to stay healthy this holiday. I once again encourage you to implement the tools at your disposal to slow the spread of this virus by wearing a mask in public; engaging in physical distancing; and washing your hands. I know the holidays will be celebrated differently this year, which is disappointing for many. However, please remember that the safest way you can celebrate is at home with the people you live with. By staying home, you are saving lives. 

On Monday, December 21, I will be hosting a live telephone town hall to answer constituent questions about COVID-19 and more. Please join me by registering here before 4:30 p.m. on December 21.   

This week, we hit a major milestone in the fight against COVID-19 as the first allocations of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine arrived in LA County. Acute care hospitals across the county have begun or will soon begin administering the vaccine to health care workers at highest risk of contracting the virus. I am pleased the heroes of this pandemic – the doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who’ve risked their lives to treat others – are first in line to receive the vaccine. 

The vaccine is our light at the end of the tunnel. However, it will take a considerable amount of time for the vaccine to reach the general public, so in the meantime, please continue to play your part in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. With the vaccine near, now is not the time to let our guard up.

Your weekly reminder: 

1. Californians can now opt-in to receive Apple or Google notifications if they’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19. CA Notify, the new statewide exposure notification system, is completely anonymous and will never track your location. To help protect your community against COVID-19, please go to canotify.ca.gov and add your phone today.
   
   
   
   
2. This is a difficult and uncertain period for all of us, when many are feeling stressed, anxious or depressed. If you are feeling this way, please know that you are not alone. If you need someone to talk to, please call the LA County Department of Mental Health hotline at (800) 854-7771 or text “LA” to 741741. Please also view the CDC’s guidance for coping with stress and anxiety during a pandemic.
   
   
3. If you are in need of food assistance; housing relief; information about COVID-19; and more, please call 2-1-1 or visit 211la.org.
   
   
4. 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. 
   
   
5. In the middle of a pandemic, ensuring Californians have access to quality, affordable health care is more important than ever. Californians can sign up for health care coverage now through Covered California’s open enrollment period. Consumers who shop health care plans during this time will benefit from California’s lowest rate change of 0.5% for 2021. The deadline to sign up for January 2021 health insurance through Covered California is December 30. The deadline to enroll in health coverage for the year 2021 is January 31, 2021. Enroll today at coveredca.com.
   
   
   

COVID-19 Updates

From the State 

As the first Pfizer coronavirus vaccine shipments arrive in California, Governor Newsom announced the “Vaccinate all 58” campaign to ensure safe and equitable distribution of the vaccine across all 58 counties. Frontline health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities will be the first to receive the vaccine, followed by essential workers and others at highest risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19.

Earlier this week, Governor Newsom also issued a new executive order to extend the availability of housing for migrant agricultural workers and provide an extension on tax returns and payments for small businesses. To learn more about the executive order, please click here. 

From LA County

The LA County Department of Public Health continues to monitor the surge in COVID-19 infections and update countywide resources accordingly. Please click here to view the latest Health Officer Order updated on December 9, which indicates what is currently open and closed in LA County. 

Additional Resources 

1. All LA County residents who would like to get tested for COVID-19 should first contact their Primary Care Provider to see if they offer tests. If you cannot access a test through your health care provider, please visit covid19.lacounty.gov/testing or corona-virus.la/covid-19-testing to sign up for a no-cost COVID-19 test. Testing is recommended for those who:
   
   
   • Have symptoms related to COVID-19.
   • Were asked to get tested by LA Public Health because of a contact tracing investigation.
   • Were in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past two weeks.
   • Work or live in a skilled nursing facility; group home; residential care facility; homeless shelter; or correctional facility.
   • Are experiencing homelessness.
   • Are an essential worker with frequent contact with the public.
   • Don’t have symptoms but believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19. 
     
     
2. If you live in the City of LA and are unable to drive to a testing site, you can receive a free COVID-19 test at a mobile pop-up location (no appointment necessary). Please click here to view current and upcoming pop-up testing sites.
   
   
3. For updated data on COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in California and LA County, please go to update.covid19.ca.gov and publichealth.lacounty.gov.
   
   
4. This holiday season, please avoid all non-essential travel as it could increase your chance of spreading and getting COVID-19. For more information on holiday travel from the CDC, please click here.
   
   
5. The City of LA has created a jobs portal for residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. To explore job opportunities, please visit jobs.lajobsportal.org. 
   
   
   
   
6. If you lost your job due to COVID-19, the LA Economic and Workforce Development Department may be able to help. You can sign up for a virtual session to learn how to file for unemployment and access helpful resources. To register, please click here.
   
   
7. Eligible small business owners can apply to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding from FOUND/LA. The Round 1 deadline to apply is this Sunday, December 20. The Round 2 window will open on Monday, January 11. For more information and to apply, please click here.
   
   
8. PPE Unite is a collaborative effort to give LA County small business owners and their employees access to personal protective equipment in response to the pandemic. If your staff needs PPE, you can sign up for a free 30-day supply of equipment at ppeunite.org.  
   
   
9. If you’ve noticed an outbreak of three or more COVID-19 cases at your workplace, please report it to the LA County Department of Public Health by calling 888-397-3993.
   
   
   
   
10. If you are a medical professional interested in joining the fight against COVID-19, you can sign up to join the California Health Corps or the California Medical Assistance Team Program (CAL-MAT). For more information, please go to healthcorps.ca.gov or emsa.ca.gov/CAL-MAT.
    
    
11. If you have a child at home who is struggling with distance learning, please consider joining LA County Library’s Parent-Ade, a virtual program designed to help students learn new study habits tailored to virtual learning. For more information, please click here.
    
    
    
    
12. Headspace and LA Public Health have partnered up to provide free access to guided meditation and sleep exercises for LA County residents during these stressful times. For more information, please visit headspace.com/lacounty.
    
    
13. During the pandemic, and with holiday shopping and other activities shifting online, it’s important to stay cautious about potential scams. Please view these tips from the FTC on how to stay safe online.
    
    
14. Face coverings are only effective if they are worn correctly. Please wash your hands before putting on your mask and make sure it covers your nose and mouth and fits tightly against the sides of your face. For more information on how to wear masks, please view these CDC guidelines.
    
    

Although the holidays are typically spent with friends and family, we must take seriously the current surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Los Angeles County. Please do not gather with those outside of your immediate household and wear a mask outside of your home; engage in physical distancing; and wash your hands frequently. I know how hard it can be to spend time away from family and friends during the holidays, but I am confident that if we all commit to protecting those around us, we will get through these turbulent times together.

For additional information on COVID-19, please visit my coronavirus webpage and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. I wish you and your family a safe, happy and healthy holiday.

Sincerely,

Ted W. Lieu
Member of Congress