Dear Residents,

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

The Latest

L.A. County Meets Criteria to Move into Tier 2; Considers Reopening Nail Salons

On September 22, the L.A. County Department of Public Health announced that the county has met the metric thresholds for Tier 2 (substantial risk level) in California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Per state guidelines, the county must continue to meet these metric thresholds for two consecutive weeks before moving into Tier 2. The state also announced that counties may now make their own determination to allow nail salons to resume indoor operations. Public Health will be consulting with the Board of Supervisors to determine the timing of adopting changes to the County Health Officer Order that would allow nail salons to resume modified indoor operations.

Having Trouble With Your Cox Communications Internet Connection?

In response to a flood of inquiries from residents who are experiencing problems with their internet connection and are concerned about staying connected for distance learning, a representative from Cox Communications will give a presentation during the October 6 City Council meeting.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in McTaggart Hall at Fred Hesse Jr. Community Park with safety protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, though virtual participation is highly encouraged. The meeting will be live-streamed on the City website and televised on RPVtv Cox 33/Frontier FiOS 38.
 
A staff report and PowerPoint presentation for this topic will be posted on rpvca.gov/agendas on September 29. Please submit your questions and concerns to the City Council in advance of the meeting by emailing them to cc@rpvca.gov. If you would like to provide comments during the meeting or leave a pre-recorded voice message, please complete a form at rpvca.gov/participate.
 
Any Cox Communications customers who are having trouble with their internet connection are advised to contact Government Affairs Manager Michael Hadland directly at michael.hadland@cox.com. Please provide your address. Customers can also report problems to Customer Support at 1-800-234-3993. The following are links to Cox Communication's troubleshooting FAQs and videos, a Wifi Optimization Guide including a helpful Infographic and Internet Experience Customer Resources.

If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 310-683-3157, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.

Reminder: COVID-19 Testing is Available

If you think you may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, call your primary care provider to schedule a COVID-19 test. COVID-19 symptoms include:

fever, cough, difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and/or new loss of taste or smell.

Wherever possible, you should receive testing in consultation with your healthcare provider to ensure continuity of care and optimal follow-up. If you do not have insurance and need help connecting to a healthcare provider, dial 2-1-1.

To check availability or make an appointment, visit covid19.lacounty.gov/testing. 

Red Cross Blood Donation Testing for COVID-19 Antibodies Provides New Opportunity to Help Patients Battling Coronavirus

Beginning this week, plasma from whole blood donations made through the American Red Cross that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may now help coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. This new opportunity to help meet the needs of COVID-19 patients is especially critical as infectious disease experts express concern about a potential second wave of cases in the fall.

In April, the Red Cross began collecting COVID-19 convalescent plasma from previously diagnosed individuals, which could only give at one of approximately 170 Red Cross blood donation centers across the country. Convalescent plasma contains COVID-19 antibodies that may help the most critical patients actively fighting this virus. Now, whole blood and donations made at any Red Cross blood drive or blood donation center may be helpful in this effort.

The Red Cross encourages eligible individuals to give blood as we come together to help patients in need. To schedule an appointment to donate, individuals may use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Local Clinic Conducting COVID-19 Vaccine Trial

Last week, the Daily Breeze published an article on a COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial being administered by the Palos Verdes Medical Group in Rolling Hills Estates. PVMG is one of 11 clinics conducting a Phase 1 and Phase 2 trial of the vaccine candidate developed by Sanofi and GSK. Among trial participants is Pat Brewster, an RPV resident who lost her husband, Bob Brewster, to COVID-19 in April and is speaking out about her loss to encourage the public to take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. Learn more about the vaccine trial at peninsularesearch.com/covid-19.

PVPUSD Adult Education Available Online 

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District is offering Adult Education classes online.

The program offers a wide variety of courses, from one-day seminars to weekly classes, designed to meet the personal and professional needs of community members. Classes are available to all adults 18 years or older.

Class offerings include English as a Second Language (ESL), language instruction, art, sewing, social activity classes, computer software instruction, yoga, golf and much more.  Adult Education instructors are experts in their fields. Some currently teach in the school district, while others bring practical “hands-on” experience to their classes.

Browse classes and register at pvpusd.net/adulted

Wide Open School

Wide Open School helps families and educators find trusted resources to enrich and support distance learning. Every day students can access free, high-quality learning activities across subjects, all in one place. More than 75 partners and supporters have come together to meet the change in learning needs of students, teachers, and families due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Explore daily activities, videos and events for children in preschool, elementary, middle and high school. Choose from a variety of subjects - ranging from math and English, to emotional well-being and movement - to help build new skills.

Parents and teachers looking for innovative and fun new ideas to better navigate distance learning can find tips and resources through the parent and teacher portal.

Visit Wide Open School to explore more at wideopenschool.org 

PVPUSD Fall Parent Education Series

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District and South Bay Families Connected invite parents to attend a virtual Fall Parent Education Series with Dr. Moe Gelbart. The series will kick off October 7 at 9 a.m. with “Managing the Emotions of Distance Learning: Parenting in 2020.” All events will be live-streamed and recorded, and information will be posted on pvpusd.net prior to each event.

For additional online youth wellness resources, including resources to support youths during distance learning, please visit southbayfamiliesconnected.org/pvpusd

SCE Safety Guidelines for Outdoor Business Operations

To ensure expanded outdoor business areas are created safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, Southern California Edison (SCE) is offering cities and businesses safety guidelines to assist with their efforts in making outdoor expansion decisions. Download the guidelines at bit.ly/3cAx4t

Another Important Reason to Get Your Flu Shot

The California Department of Public Health reminds the public that flu can lower your body’s defenses to other infections, including COVID-19. Older adults, smokers, or anyone with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease are especially at risk. Don’t take chances with flu – get your flu shot now.

Space Open in After School Recreational Enrichment Program

Registration is currently open for the After School Recreational Enrichment Program offered by the San Pedro & Peninsula YMCA and the City at Hesse Park! The after school program for grades K-5 takes place from 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday from through December 18. This program is 100% outdoors and features activities covering science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM), individual conditioning physical exercise, enrichment, and much more, all designed to maintain physical distancing and follow Los Angeles County Department of Public Health protocols. Fees are $100 per week, per child. Registration remains open.

**Due to lower than anticipated enrollment at Ryan Park and Eastview Park, these locations will be placed on hold until there is more interest.**

For more information and to register for the After School Recreational Enrichment Program, visit bit.ly/3jg58gA or ymcala.org. Download a program flyer at: bit.ly/3gunjxl

If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 310-683-3157, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.

New $5 Million Childcare Provider Grant Program

L.A. County's new $5 million Childcare Provider Grant Program opened this week for eligible licensed childcare operators in L.A. County who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This new program is funded by Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds.

Childcare operators in L.A. County (with the exception of those operating in the City of Los Angeles, as the City received its own allocation of CARES Act funds and has its own programs for City childcare operators) may visit childcaregrant.lacda.org for:

•           Eligibility requirements;
•           A video tutorial on how to complete the online application;
•           And the Application Portal

The application period will remain open through Friday, September 25 at 12 p.m. Applications will be ranked via a lottery and applicants will be selected in the order ranked per lottery process.

Upcoming Local Blood Drive

Blood donations have decreased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthy, eligible donors are urged to come out and give to ensure there’s lifesaving blood on the shelves for those who need it.

The City of Rolling Hills Estates is hosting a blood drive on Friday, September 25 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ernie Howlett Park, 25851 Hawthorne Blvd. in Rolling Hills Estates.

Appointments can be made online at ucedonor.com (click on “Blood Drives” and enter “City of Rolling Hills Estates” in the Account Name box), or by phone at 310-825-0888 X 2.

Last month, donors were able to provide 24 pints!

Time is Running Out! Complete Your Census Today.

Have you completed your 2020 census? Responses to the census shape decisions about how billions of dollars in federal funds flow into communities each year for the next 10 years for critical services, including health care, emergency response, schools and education programs, and roads and bridges. The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the importance of census data and census participation.

As of September 23, Rancho Palos Verdes had a self-response rate of 80.2%, above state and national averages, but behind our goal of 100% participation. The U.S. Census Bureau, however, has extended the official deadline to participate in the census to September 30 in response to the evolving COVID-19 crisis. If you haven't already done so, complete your census form now online at my2020census.gov, by phone at 844-330-2020, or by mail if you receive a paper form.

Last Chance! Agents of Discovery

National Park and Recreation Month is over, but you can still play Agents of Discovery at Hesse Park and Eastview Park! The self-guided, mobile educational game will be available at both locations through September 30.

Kids and their families can play by downloading the Agents of Discovery app to access RPV’s “missions” (games). Players that complete all the challenges will receive a gift bag from the Recreation and Parks Department!

To download the free Agents of Discovery app, go to Google Play or the App Store. Once downloaded, find our missions within the app and hit “play” before you head out. No WiFi connectivity is required to download or play the missions.

Free Virtual Art Classes for Older Adults

Discover the healing properties of art therapy with free virtual art classes for older adults presented by BlueSea Care every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Register at bit.ly/2X7doqz

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the Recreation and Parks Department at 310-544-5260 or parks@rpvca.gov. If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 310-683-3157, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.

New Temporary Special Use Permit for RPV Businesses

The Community Development Department has developed a new Temporary Special Use Permit (TSUP) to assist Rancho Palos Verdes businesses with the opportunity to provide limited outdoor operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. A TSUP will allow for outdoor operations on sidewalks and parking lots for: 

• Restaurants
• Fitness centers
• Hair salons and barbershops
• Personal care services, such as nail salons, massage, and tattoo parlors

A TSUP will be processed administratively without a filing fee, public notification, or appeal process that is typically required for a standard Special Use Permit. For a complete list of operational requirements and permit limitations, please see the TSUP application at bit.ly/3gcLFME. For questions regarding the application or submittal requirements, please contact the Planning Division at 310-544-5228 or send an email to the Planning Division at planning@rpvca.gov.

Cases

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

For an interactive dashboard with maps and graphs showing testing, cases and death data by community, poverty level, age, sex and race/ethnicity visit: http://dashboard.publichealth.lacounty.gov/covid19_surveillance_dashboard/

An interactive dashboard of COVID-19 cases in the South Bay maintained by the City of Torrance is available at bit.ly/2XB1fv1. The dashboard reflects information sourced by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

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/