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Dear neighbor,
This week, President Biden delivered a message of hope to the American people during his address to Congress. In the first 100 days of his presidency, President Biden, with the support of Democrats in Congress, has acted to get America back on track by mounting a national vaccination program, delivering much-needed relief to families, making transformative investments to rescue and rebuild our economy, and fundamentally showing that government can deliver for its people.
During his speech, President Biden unveiled the American Families Plan to provide free preschool for three and four year-olds, two years of free community college for students, direct relief for American families, and more. The American Families Plan is a bold investment in children, families, and our future – and I look forward to working with the Biden Administration to get this package and the American Jobs Plan across the finish line to support families in CA-33.
As of April 20th, more than 6.6 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered across Los Angeles County, and almost 2.5 million people are fully vaccinated. As more members of our community become vaccinated, we get closer to returning to normal. As you and your loved ones receive vaccinations, it’s common to have questions. This week, the LA County Department of Public Health held a virtual town hall to answer questions about the vaccines. To watch the full town hall, please click here.
LA Public Health also has a number of resources available to those who have been vaccinated, including guidance for after you are fully vaccinated. This week, LA County updated its Health Officer Order to align with the CDC’s Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People. According to LA Public Health officials, fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks outside except in crowded settings where physical distancing is not possible.
Although this is good news, more than 50% of LA County residents are not yet fully vaccinated, so please continue to wash your hands frequently; engage in social distancing; and wear a mask around others who are not in your household.
Vaccine Distribution in LA County
Adults age 16 and older who live or work in LA County are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. If you haven’t done so already, I strongly encourage you to get the vaccine as soon as you are able. No appointments are needed at the following County-run vaccination sites through Saturday, May 1st – while supplies last. Please check VaccinateLACounty.com for updated information on walk-in vaccinations.
- The Balboa Sports Complex
- Eugene A. Obregon Park
- Palmdale Oasis Recreation Center
- College of the Canyons
- Pomona Fairplex
- Cal State Northridge
- The Forum
- LA County Office of Education
You can also book an appointment for a vaccine ahead of time by going to VaccinateLACounty.com or Coronavirus.LACity.org/VaxAppointment.
If you have a disability or do not have access to the internet and need assistance making your vaccination appointment, you can contact the County’s Call Center –– open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. –– at (833) 540-0473. The vaccine is free to all people and immigration status and insurance are not required.
Help is on the Way for Small Businesses in CA-33
Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the COVID-19 crisis has put unprecedented strain on small mom-and-pop businesses and nonprofits that have had no choice but to close their doors. I’m pleased that Help is Here with the American Rescue Plan, which provides much-needed relief to our nation’s small businesses with $7.25 billion additional for the Paycheck Protection Program, $15 billion additional for Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance payments, $28.6 billion for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, and more.
Starting today, owners of restaurants, food trucks, bars, bakeries, and related businesses can register for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund application portal. All eligible businesses will be able to apply starting Monday, May 3rd. This program – established through the American Rescue Plan – provides emergency assistance to restaurants and other qualifying businesses to help them keep their doors open.
The entertainment industry has also been particularly hard-hit by the pandemic. I’m pleased that the American Rescue Plan allocated over $16 billion in grants for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program to help closed venues open their doors. This crucial program was delayed for too long. If you are an eligible venue operator, please click here to apply for financial relief.
In addition, Round 2 of LA Regional COVID Fund’s Keep Our Shops on the Block Grant is offering $10,000 grants to eligible small businesses in the personal care and retail sectors. Applications close this Sunday, May 2nd. To learn more and apply, please visit lacovidfund.org.
The final round of the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program is also open now through May 4th. For more information, please visit careliefgrant.com.
Testing
You no longer need an appointment to receive a COVID-19 test. You can walk in or drive up to any of the 17 County-run testing sites. Please visit covid19.lacounty.gov/testing, corona-virus.la/covid-19-testing or call 2-1-1 for testing locations and additional information. Although appointments are not needed, they can still be made to help reduce wait times. 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 essential workers with frequent contact with the public.
- Don’t have symptoms but believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19.
Additional Resources
- If you are out of work or have had your hours reduced, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. For questions about unemployment insurance, please go to edd.ca.gov or contact your state legislator for assistance.
- To check on the status of your stimulus check, please visit irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment.
- Covered California opened a new special enrollment period to allow Californians to benefit from lower health insurance premiums available through the American Rescue Plan. Click here to enroll in health care coverage.
- For CDC guidance on travel for fully vaccinated people, please click here. If you plan to travel, please remember to renew your passport at least 6 months in advance.
- The West LA VA is now offering COVID-19 vaccines to veterans of ALL ages and their spouses or caregivers. Please call the VAGLAHS COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Line at (310) 268-4900 to schedule an appointment.
Each day, we get closer and closer to the other side of this pandemic. If you haven’t gotten vaccinated yet, I strongly urge you to do so to help our community recover. We must continue to do what we can to keep safe and wash our hands frequently; practice social distancing; and wear a mask. For additional updates on vaccines and COVID-19, please follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Stay safe.
Sincerely,
Ted W. Lieu
Member of Congress
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