Monday, May 25, 2020

State OKs In-Store Shopping At Retail Stores

Reopening picks up speed

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The California Department of Public Health Monday announced the statewide reopening of in-store retail shopping, a major step in California’s emergence from shutdown orders issued in March to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The retail guidance for in-person shopping that is already in place for certain counties now applies statewide, officials said.

Retail does not include personal services such as hair salons, nail salons and barbershops.

Monday’s announcement came as Gov. Gavin Newsom released guidelines for resuming in-person services at churches and other houses of worship.

“Together, our actions have helped bend the curve and reduce infections in our state. As sectors continue to open with changes that aim to lower risk, remember that COVID-19 is still present in our communities,” said Dr. Sonia Angell, the state’s public health officer and director of the health department. “As more of us may be leaving our homes,

Monday, May 25, 2020

Newsom Issues Guidelines for Reopening Churches

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued guidance Monday to churches and other houses of worship in California on how they can safely reopen amid the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

Under the remaining guidelines, places of worship must limit attendance to 25 percent of building capacity or 100 attendees, whichever is lower. This limitation will be in effect for the first 21 days of a county public health department’s approval of religious services within their jurisdictions, after which the California Department of Public Health will review the limits.

They must also arrange for social distancing of at least 6 feet between people.

— Shorten services to limit the length of time congregants/visitors spend at facilities whenever possible. This could include limiting speeches, asking congregants/visitors to put on garments at home before arrival, etc.

— Close places of worship for visitation outside of scheduled services, meetings, etc., whenever possible.

— Discontinue large gatherings that encourage congregants/visitors to travel and break physical distances during activities,

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Supervisor Barger Introduces Motion to Pursue Variance for Reopening of Los Angeles County

Barger also sent letter to Governor Newsom to urge for progression in Stage 2 and into Stage 3

Supervisor Kathryn Barger introduced a motion, co-authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn, that will ask the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office, County Counsel and Public Health Officer, to pursue a variance with the State of California once the County has achieved readiness under the State’s identified criteria. This motion, which will be heard before the Board of Supervisors at its next meeting on May 26, also supports efforts for interested cities or regions within the County to apply for their own partial variance based on the State’s readiness criteria. These are critical and necessary steps for the County to pursue toward full reopening.

In addition, Supervisor Kathryn Barger sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom today urging his support to enable Los Angeles County to advance in Stage 2 and transition to Stage 3 of California’s COVID-19 pandemic roadmap. This would allow Los Angeles County to reopen the majority of businesses including dine-in restaurants,

Friday, May 22, 2020

L.A. County Clears More Retailers To Open Ahead Of Memorial Day Weekend

STAFF REPORTS

Ahead of Memorial Day weekend, Los Angeles County Friday reopened some beach parking lots and authorized retail businesses inside enclosed shopping malls to reopen with curbside pickup service only, while continuing to warn of the continued spread of the coronavirus.

The changes came as county officials braced for a holiday weekend that could again challenge residents’ resolve to adhere to stay-at-home restrictions that bar large gatherings and require face coverings and social distancing when residents interact with others.

“Based on the week that we opened up the trails and golf courses, I was very proud of the L.A. County residents who really did recognize wearing a mask and the social distancing that was in place,” said Kathryn Barger, chair of the county Board of Supervisors. “So I’m confident moving into this holiday, people will also recognize that is the reason why we talk about Safer At Home moving to safer at work and safer in our communities. Because people are recognizing that is the only way we’re going to stop or slow down the spread of this virus.

Friday, May 22, 2020

L.A. County Jobless Rate Soars Thanks to Continuing Pandemic

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The dire economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic were laid bare Friday with the release of figures putting Los Angeles County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate at 19.6% in April, well above the 6.7% rate in March.

The 19.6% rate dwarfed the 4.5% unemployment level from April 2019, according to the state Employment Development Department.

In Orange County, where seasonally adjusted numbers were not available, the April jobless rate was 13.8%.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 15.5% in April, up from 5.5% in March and well above the 4.2% level in April 2019. The comparable estimates for the nation were 14.7% in April, 4.4% in March and 3.6% in April 2019.

According to the EDD, total nonfarm employment in Los Angeles County dropped by 685,000 jobs between March and April, a 15% decline, dropping the number of positions to just under 3.9 million jobs.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

County COVID-19 Death Toll Reaches 2,000

57 additional deaths reported on Wednesday

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The County health department confirmed 46 new Coronavirus deaths and 1,204 new cases, taking the death toll above 2,000 cases.

To date, the department has identified 42,037 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County, and a total of 2,016 deaths.

“To those of you who are suffering and grieving because of the loss of a loved one to COVID-19, we offer you our deepest condolences. We are thinking of you every day,” said Barbara Ferrer, Director of Public Health. “As more businesses and spaces are open, as individuals and institutions, we can take care of each other by continuing to practice physical distancing, wearing cloth face coverings, and following all of the directives for safer practices at businesses and in public spaces. We can do this, because we’ve done it. We have worked together doing our part to save lives.”

Staying home, physical distancing and wearing cloth face coverings has resulted in a decreased number of new infections.

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

LA County Sheriff Refuses Subpoena to Appear at Civilian Oversight Meeting

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Despite being subpoenaed to attend the Civilian Oversight Commission’s meeting Thursday, embattled Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Wednesday he will not be there.

“Regarding the commission’s subpoena, you have to understand … the subpoena, Measure R, the ordinance enacted by the Board of Supervisors, all these things were generated without any oversight, without any third-party independent legal analysis of its constitutionality,” Villanueva said.
“That still remains in doubt, and until that issue is resolved I will not be adhering to any subpoena issued by either entity — be it the inspector general or the Oversight Commission.”

Villanueva said his department will be represented at Thursday’s meeting by Assistant Sheriff Bruce Chase, who “volunteered his time to go and testify to the commission and give them an update on all the COVID-19 efforts we are engaged in.”

Villanueva said his department is committed to being as transparent as possible, with the commission and the public,

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

LA County COVID-19 Cases Top 40,000

57 additional deaths reported on Wednesday

CITY NEWS SERVICE

County officials reported 57 new deaths and 1,324 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus on Wednesday, bringing the death toll to 1,970 and the total number of cases to 40,857.

“It’s still relatively easy to become infected, particularly if you’re not taking precautions — and unfortunately, there have been recent parties and gatherings that did result in a number of newly infected people,” said County Health Director Barbara Ferrer. “So, please find ways to enjoy the holiday with people from your own household, or with friends and family from afar, using our technology tools. Being together from a distance is currently our new normal, and while this is temporary, for this Memorial Day we’ll still need to practice social distancing.”

The county has been slowly reopening recreational amenities and retail businesses for curbside pickup only. The county’s Economic Resiliency Task Force, which includes members of the Board of Supervisors and local business leaders,

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Altadena Library District: Open Announcement for Board Vacancy

With the resignation of Trustee Gwen McMullins, the Altadena Library Board of Trustees is announcing a vacancy and will make an appointment to fill that seat. The Altadena Library District thanks Trustee McMullins for her many years of dedicated service and extends its profound appreciation for all her work on behalf of the library and the community. (A copy of her letter of resignation may be found here).

The Board of Trustees is accepting applications from anyone who would like to serve on the board for her unexpired 2020 term (until the first Friday in December, 2020). Applicants must be at least 18, a resident of, and registered to vote in Altadena. This seat, along with two others currently held by Trustees Betsy Kahn and Terry Andrues, will be up for election on the November 2020 ballot. The individual appointed will hold the seat until the elected candidate is certified and sworn in; s/he is welcome to run for the seat in the 2020 election if desired.

Monday, April 6, 2020

L.A. County Launches $500,000 Employer Assistance Fund

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Los Angeles County is launching a $500,000 fund to provide grants of up to $10,000 each to local businesses in need, officials announced Monday.

Business owners should act fast, as applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis and closed once 150 applications are received.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger said the Board of Supervisors and the Department of Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services joined together to create the fund.

“The coronavirus pandemic has impacted residents and businesses throughout Los Angeles County,” Barger said. “It is vitally important that we pursue every resource available to support local business and help maintain good job opportunities throughout the region.”

The Department of Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services will host a webinar at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday — accessible at bit.ly/BusinessGrantWebinar — to guide business owners on how to apply. The application site will open Wednesday at 8 a.m. at https://workforce.lacounty.gov/.