Coronavirus Updates and Resources from Rep. Lieu

Dear neighbor, 

As soon as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were sworn into office on Wednesday, they hit the ground running with a series of moves to confront the COVID-19 crisis. I have full confidence in their ability to lead our nation through this difficult time and look forward to working closely with them to provide much-needed relief to struggling Americans. Among the first 15 executive orders signed by President Biden were a new mask mandate on federal property, an extension of eviction and foreclosure moratoriums and a pause on student loan payments until September 30. Yesterday, President Biden unveiled his Administration’s bold and comprehensive COVID-19 plan and signed additional executive actions to expand testing, administer vaccines, safely reopen schools and businesses and more. I’m thrilled the new Administration is taking swift action to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted the lives of every single American.   

In the middle of a devastating pandemic, ensuring Americans have access to quality health care coverage is more important than ever. The deadline to sign up for health insurance through Covered California in 2021 is January 31st. You can shop and compare plans today at coveredca.com, and find one that works best for you and your family. 

VACCINE UPDATE: LA County residents 65 years and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. To make an appointment to be vaccinated, please visit VaccinateLACounty.com or call 833-540-0473 between 8:00 AM and 8:30 PM 7 days a week. Appointment slots are extremely limited, so please check the vaccine site regularly for available appointments and sign up for LA Public Health’s vaccine newsletter. 

Your weekly reminder: 

1. 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.
   
   
   
2. Californians can 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.
   
   
   
   
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. 

COVID-19 Updates

From LA County 

Last week, the LA County Department of Public Health confirmed the first case of a new COVID-19 variant, which was originally discovered in the United Kingdom. The individual spent time in Los Angeles County and traveled to Oregon, where he is currently isolating. Please remember that all individuals who travel to Los Angeles County from outside the Southern California region engaging in non-essential travel must quarantine for 10 days, even if they are not feeling sick. 

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. On Tuesday, January 19th, LA Public Health hosted a COVID-19 Vaccine Virtual Town Hall to discuss the status of vaccine distribution in LA County. If you missed it, you can watch the full town hall here.
   
   
5. Stay Housed Los Angeles has helpful resources for landlords and renters as they navigate through this difficult period. To read your rights or get legal assistance, please visit stayhousedla.org.
   
   
6. As COVID-19 vaccine distribution begins, please beware of vaccine scams. If someone offers to sell you the vaccine or a chance to get vaccinate before it’s your turn, it’s a scam.
   
   
   
   
7. Please remember: a face covering is only effective if it is worn correctly. Please wear your mask tightly over your nose and mouth.
   
   
8. During this challenging time, it can be difficult to feel connected to your community. If you’re looking for ways to connect with other parents and families, LA County Parks is holding virtual Winter Classes. To register for fitness, poetry writing, arts and crafts classes and more, please go to parks.lacounty.gov/winter20.
   
   
   
   
9. There is a lot of misinformation about the vaccine circulating on social media and in the news. Please make sure you know the difference between facts and myths surrounding the vaccine.
   
   
   
   
10. Volunteers have been essential to California’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are interested in volunteering to safely help those in need, please visit californiavolunteers.ca.gov. 

The events of this week have brought a new sense of hope to our nation. I remain confident that we will get through this crisis by working together. Please continue to wash your hands frequently; engage in social distancing and wear a mask in public. For more information on the coronavirus, please visit covid19.lacounty.gov and covid19.ca.gov and follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I look forward to updating you again soon. 

Stay safe.

Sincerely, 

Ted W. Lieu 
Member of Congress