Dear Residents,

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes continues to monitor the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Los Angeles County and would like to share the following updates with the community:

The Latest

How to Make Your Own Face Covering

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recommends everyone wear cloth face coverings when interacting with others while obtaining or providing essential supplies and services. N95 and surgical masks should only be used by healthcare workers, first responders, essential workers providing care for people who are ill, and people who are ill.

To watch a video on how to make your own face covering, visit youtu.be/tPx1yqvJgf4

For tutorials, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

Remember, the best community and individual defense against COVID-19 is to wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, avoid being around sick people, practice physical distancing, especially by staying at home and wearing a face covering when out procuring or providing essential services.

For the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s guidance on cloth face coverings, visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/GuidanceClothFaceCoverings.pdf

Cases

As of April 9, there are 7,955 known cases of novel coronavirus across Los Angeles County, including the South Bay, so the public should not think one location is safer than another and everyone should be aware and practice social distancing, also known as physical distancing. The total includes 35 cases in Rancho Palos Verdes, 31 in Palos Verdes Estates and eight in Rolling Hills Estates. Countywide, 223 people have died.

To date, the City is aware of the deaths of two residents who reportedly contracted the novel coronavirus. We extend our deepest condolences to the residents’ families and ask for their privacy to be respected during this difficult time.

For a list of cases broken down by city and age group, visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/locations.htm

It’s important to note that the total number of confirmed cases that the Department of Public Health shares every day reflects a moment in time and may not include cases confirmed by commercial labs that have not yet been shared with the Department of Public Health. A commercial lab may share a positive result with a physician before the health department.

It’s Takeout Thursday!

The community is encouraged to join in the “Takeout Tuesdays and Takeout Thursdays” initiative launched by the Peninsula cities and the PVP Chamber of Commerce by posting on social media and inviting friends and neighbors to order takeout, using Tuesdays and Thursdays as a special reminder.

Residents are asked to show their support by ordering takeout or delivery, not only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but on a regular basis throughout the coronavirus restrictions.

Check the Open for Business page on the City website for a list of local restaurants offering takeout, delivery and curbside pickup.

Palos Verdes Library District Resources

Although Palos Verdes Library District locations are currently closed, online services are available at pvld.org! Many digital resources are accessible 24/7, no matter where you are. All you need is your library card number and PIN. Please call the library at (310) 377-9584 to leave a message if you need assistance with the digital services listed below:

Read eBooks and listen to audiobooks on OverDrive. Stream movies and TV shows on Kanopy and Hoopla.
Check out digital magazines via Stream and download music on Freegal.
Kids and learners of all ages can get one-on-one homework help and tutoring from 1 – 10 pm every day on Brainfuse, plus there are many other resources for school and careers available at all hours.

Be sure to also check out kids’ activities and other online resources curated by library staff:

Kids Book & Author Activities

Crafts and Activities
Virtual Exploring
Homework Help

PVLD's Young Artists & Authors at Home

Are you writing or creating art while you are home? The library would love to showcase your work online.

Submit your work at https://www.pvld.org/youngartistsauthors and check us out each day to see all of the amazing new submissions.

Explore and More: The World At Your Fingertips

Visit libraries and museums around the world. Watch operas and Broadway musicals from your couch. See animals at the zoo without any crowds. Stay fit while the gyms are closed. And get self-care tips to aid your mental health. We may all be inside right now, but the world is at your fingertips to explore and more.

We also invite you and your family to share your Coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak stories online with Your Story is the Peninsula’s Story. Parents and educators, please take this as an opportunity to help your students tell their stories.

Things to Try While Physical Distancing

While L.A. County residents focus on physical distancing in the fight against COVID-19, we'd like to take a moment offer a few ideas on how to beat the blues, entertain kids, learn something new, or remain social - for free!

The following suggestions are brought to you by the L.A. County Library, the Department of Arts and Culture, and creative and resilient artists and organizations who are finding ways of creating and engaging with you (from the comfort of your own home):

For the young:
For the young at heart:
- Online art project tutorials and activities for adults
- Virtual programming, such as Book Talks (Coming Soon)
- Courses for learning a new language, photography, coding, resume writing, and applications such as Office 365
For all ages:
- Performances
- Physical distance dancing
- 24/7 digital collection of hundreds of eBooks, audio books, music, movies, magazines for LA County Library cardholders

For more information on what L.A. County Library offers, visit lacountylibrary.org or reach library staff via:

Phone: Locate your local library at https://lacountylibrary.org/library-locator/ (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.- 6:00 p.m)
Text: (626) 394-4019 (Monday-Friday, Noon-6:00 p.m.)
Email or chat at https://lacountylibrary.org/contactus/ (Monday-Friday, Noon-6:00 p.m.)

Reminder: “Safer at Home” Order is Mandatory

As we approach Easter and as Passover has begun, Los Angeles County continues to remind all residents that the Health Officer’s Safer at Home order remains in full effect.
This is a time when many want to be with their family and faith communities. Dr. Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health, applauded the faith-based organizations that are finding ways to reach out to people online through virtual services and the people who are finding ways to practice their faith together -- from afar.

Dr. Ferrer emphasized that people and faith-based organizations must honor LA County’s Safer at Home order and find ways to be together emotionally, but apart physically. She asked that any planned gatherings in person, as well as in cars, be canceled and sent a reminder that the order prohibits such physical gatherings.

The Safer at Home order directs all members of the public to help slow the spread of COVID-19 by practicing social distancing and taking common sense infection control precautions. County residents are required to stay at home or in their place of residence, except when they need to work at an essential business or healthcare operation, provide essential infrastructure, shop at an essential business, or engage in an essential activity.

Though the need to connect with friends and family is strong, group meals and social gatherings make social distancing difficult, and therefore, put everyone at risk. This is not the time for relatives and friends to come over and be in close proximity to each other. This is a time to physically distance yourself from others.

While family members and contacts living together within a household can go for a walk in the neighborhood, contact with individuals from outside of the household should occur only virtually. Use social media and digital tools to connect, because face-to-face interactions with individuals from other households are prohibited under the Safer at Home order.
Everyone must:

Stay home (stay unexposed and do not expose others)
Only go out for essential services or if they are an essential worker
Stay six feet or more away from others
Not gather in groups of any size

Los Angeles County is relying on its residents to respect and follow these health orders. Residents’ cooperation with the health orders is critical as we work to flatten the curve and move beyond the pandemic. We’re in this together.

More information about the order can be found at publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/FAQ-SaferatHomeOrder.pdf

Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Prevent Price Gouging During Emergencies

On April 7, South Bay Rep. Ted Lieu and Rep. Joe Neguse of Colorado introduced legislation to prohibit raising the price of essential goods and consumer products in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Price gouging is the predatory practice of raising the price of consumer goods in response to pandemic-induced demand from consumers.

The Price Gouging Prevention Act (H.R. 6450) would prohibit such practices throughout the COVID-19 public health emergency, as well as during future national emergencies. The legislation directs the Federal Trade Commission to enforce the ban and is based on a California anti-price gouging statute, CA Penal Code Section 396, which prohibits raising the price of many consumer goods and services by more than 10% after an emergency has been declared.

Board of Supervisors to Consider Countywide Emergency Rent Assistance Program Amid COVID-19 Crisis

Los Angeles County Supervisors Janice Hahn and Hilda Solis have proposed creating an Emergency Rent Assistance Program during the COVID-19 crisis. The program would provide up to $1,000 per month for three months to renters who have lost income due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has implemented a rent freeze and eviction moratorium to prevent families from losing their homes during this epidemic. However, renters will still need to pay back rent owed in the months after the crisis. Rent assistance through the proposed program would not need to be paid back and could prevent families from falling into even worse economic hardship.

The number of families that would be helped by the program would depend on the level of funding. Funding for the program would come from the second round of funding Los Angeles County expects to receive from the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Additional funding could come from philanthropy and private sources.

The Emergency Rent Assistance Program proposal will be voted on during the April 14 virtual meeting of the Board of Supervisors. Read the full motion at file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/145146.pdf

L.A. County Launches Critical Delivery Service for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities

The Los Angeles County Department of Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services (WDACS) has launched a free delivery program for older adults and individuals with disabilities. This countywide program, called Critical Delivery Service, will deliver groceries, household items, and other vital necessities to individuals who are unable to leave their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Items may be delivered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at no cost to the client. No application process is required; however, items must be pre-paid and ready for pickup. Deliveries may be scheduled by calling 1-888-863-7411 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Clients may utilize this service up to four times or 40 miles per month, whichever comes first.

For a downloadable factsheet about the Critical Delivery Service, visit bit.ly/2xgDQ7f

Emotional Support and Stress Management Resources

If the COVID-19 crisis is affecting your mental health, check out helpful resources from the California Surgeon General’s Office added to the state’s coronavirus website, www.covid19.ca.gov

For emotional support and well-being resources, visit: https://covid19.ca.gov/resources-for-emotional-support-and-well-being

For stress playbooks, including tips for caregivers, parents and kids, visit: https://covid19.ca.gov/manage-stress-for-health/

Stretch and Movement Guides

The Beach Cities Health District has produced guides with simple stretches and exercises you can practice to stay active while staying or working at home. Download the guides at the following links:

Computer and Desk Stretches (PDF)
Dynamic Movement Exercises (PDF)
Functional Movement Stretches (PDF)

Drive-Up Mobile COVID-19 Testing Update

This week, officials announced that any L.A. County resident showing symptoms can now get a COVID-19 test at a drive-up mobile testing site, but priority will be given to those in high-risk categories (people age 65+, and/or those with underlying conditions)

Locally, there is a drive-up testing site at the South Bay Galleria (1815 Hawthorne Blvd., Redondo Beach, CA 90278)

For a full list of locations and answers to questions about testing, go to covid19.lacounty.gov/testing.

To find out if you're eligible and to make an appointment, visit lacovidprod.service-now.com/rrs

Palos Verdes Medical Group is now offering drive-thru COVID-19 testing for Peninsula residents.

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, or may have been exposed, please call PVMG at 310-544-6858. You will be scheduled for a Telehealth visit with one of the providers. If testing is recommended, patients will be offered COVID-19 testing at new drive-thru site on the fourth (top) floor of the Promenade on the Peninsula mall.

Testing is by appointment only and open to both PVMG patients and community members. Call PVMG at 310-544-6858 for any questions or to schedule a Telehealth visit.

Free Meals for Older Adults Impacted by COVID-19

The County of Los Angeles is providing free meals to older adults age 60 and older who are impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Call 1-800-510-2020 to request services.

Meals are provided either at distribution sites or via home delivery. The county is transitioning to home-delivered meals at most locations. The map at the following link has information about each site: bit.ly/34k9b56

Older adults 65 and older must send a family member, friend or caregiver who is under the age of 65 to pick up meals at their assigned site. For more information, visit wdacs.lacounty.gov/covid-19

Clap Because We Care

The Palos Verdes Peninsula has joined communities across the country in an ongoing show of support for frontline workers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Every night at 7 p.m., step outside to celebrate these workers and say “thank you” with a clap and a cheer.

Reminder: Parks, Beaches and Nature Preserve CLOSED

To slow the spread of COVID-19, the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, all City parks, beaches, community centers, amenities and trails are CLOSED until further notice. All park buildings, playgrounds, parking lots, restrooms, game courts, and fields are closed. All park programming has been canceled until further notice. This includes all recreational activities, indoor and outdoor sports leagues, instructional courses, and group sessions/private events.

For a full list of closures, read a press release at: bit.ly/2UexWwo

County Beaches and Hiking Trails CLOSED

As part of the “Safer at Home” Public Health Officer Order, county officials have closed all public beaches, trails, trailheads, piers, public beach parking lots, bike paths on the beach, and beach access points countywide through at least April 19. Persons may continue to use currently open and publicly available park space, not prohibited by the order, for passive recreational activities, but must practice social distancing.

Please note that parks, beaches and open space areas in Rancho Palos Verdes, including the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, are CLOSED. Deane Dana Friendship Park and the South Coast Botanic Garden are partially closed.

To read the order addendum, visit http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/HOO_BeachesandTrails_3.27.20_FINAL.pdf

Other Closures

For a list of school, library, transit and other local closures, visit the Closure Information page on the City’s coronavirus webpage.

Open for Business

Need a list of Peninsula restaurants that are serving takeout and delivery? Or updated grocery store hours? Check out the Open for Business tab on the City’s coronavirus webpage. If you would like to add your business to this page or provide updated information, please email slee@rpvca.gov.

How You Can Help

Personal Protective Equipment Needed

Want to help our nurses, doctors and health care workers? If you want to donate/know of businesses that may be able to help with personal protective equipment, such as surgical masks, N95 face masks, face shields and other supplies, email medsupply@dhs.lacounty.gov

To find out how you can support local hospitals, visit the How You Can Help page on the City’s coronavirus webpage.

Local Volunteer Match

PVPUSD School Board Member Linda Reid is coordinating a volunteer effort to match up senior citizens needing errand/grocery/meal help in PV with volunteers. PVPUSD students, parents, and alums unexpectedly home from college will assist! Any older residents may email Member Reid at reidl@pvpusd.net to be matched up with a local volunteer during this difficult isolating time.

Neighborhood Watch

For 28 years, residents and Block Captains have worked together through RPV Neighborhood Watch to build safe and cohesive neighborhoods. Working cooperatively between neighbors and law enforcement has resulted in supportive neighbors who help each other when necessary. Those residents or blocks who are not yet a part of Neighborhood Watch can contact Gail Lorenzen at rpvnw@ix.netcom.com.

Senior Support

Please consider checking on your older neighbors or those with underlying health conditions. There are ways to let people know you care while keeping a safe distance (e.g., a phone call, a text, a note under their door to make sure they have everything they need). Self-isolation doesn’t need to mean loneliness. Lomita Sheriff’s Station deputies are available to provide a “welfare check” for seniors. Residents are encouraged to call the station’s non-emergency number at 310-539-1661 if they are aware of seniors who are at risk or may need attention. We are all in this together.

California Health Corps

Health care professionals with an active license, public health professionals, medical retirees, medical and nursing students, or members of medical disaster response teams in California are all encouraged to join the new California Health Corps.
Interested medical and health care professionals are encouraged to visit healthcorps.ca.gov for more information and to register for the California Health Corps.

Medical doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, behavioral health scientists, pharmacists, EMTs, medical and administrative assistants, as well as certified nursing assistants are encouraged to step up and meet this moment to help California respond to the outbreak.

Make a Donation

Los Angeles County officials encourage members of the public who want to help those in the community experiencing hardships to make monetary contributions to reputable non-profit organizations or relief funds supporting COVID-19 disaster efforts. Find a list of organizations and relief funds on the How You Can Help page on the City’s coronavirus webpage.

City Hall Closed

As a reminder, to reduce the risk of community spread of COVID-19, through at least April 19, City Hall and park buildings are closed to the public, and all recreational activities, classes and events at City facilities have been canceled. The City will primarily be providing essential city services that are necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our community and City employees. To facilitate these measures, all non-essential staff will be working remotely. Inquiries will be reviewed daily and will be responded to on a case-by-case basis. Please note that our response to your inquiry could be delayed.

Community Development Department applications and permit requests may be submitted to planning@rpvca.gov.

Non-emergency service requests may be submitted at http://www.rpvca.gov/FormCenter/NonEmergency-Customer-Service-Requests-3/NonEmergency-Customer-Service-Requests-43.

Public Works service requests may be submitted at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/6d13530e7ca84edbb5c4e022bdc54da8.

Please visit the appropriate department page on the City website for a list of phone numbers and email addresses to accommodate your needs:

City Manager
City Clerk
Community Development
Finance
Human Resources
Public Works
Recreation, Parks & Open Space
RPVtv

Overall Staff Directory

Resources

Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health: publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus
California Department of Public Health: cdph.ca.gov/covid19
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): cdc.gov/COVID19
World Health Organization: who.int/coronavirus
California Governor’s Office: covid19.ca.gov
County of Los Angeles: lacounty.gov/covid19
L.A. County residents can also call 2-1-1
FEMA Coronavirus Rumor Control: https://www.fema.gov/Coronavirus-Rumor-Control

Sign up for “Notify Me” city listervs at rpvca.gov/notify
Be sure to also follow the City on Nextdoor, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Sign up for emergency alerts from Alert SouthBay by:

Texting “alertsb” to 888-777, which returns a link to register for Everbridge (for COVID-19-related alerts, text the keyword "cv19rpv")
Registering online at alertsouthbay.com
Downloading the free Everbridge app on an iOS or Android device from the App Store or Google Play. Select “Find an organization or subscription” and search “alertsb”

Sign up for emergency alerts from Alert LA County at https://lacounty.gov/emergency/alert-la/

The City Council is committed to keeping you informed on this ever-changing situation, and thanks you for your cooperation and support. The City reminds all residents that closures and cancellations announced by the City and other agencies and institutions are being implemented because public health officials advise that social distancing is the best and most effective tool to slow the spread of coronavirus.