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

COVID-19 Can Sometimes be Spread by Airborne Transmission, CDC Says

Earlier this week, the CDC issued updated guidance to its How COVID-19 Spreads website, which includes information about the potential for airborne spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.

CDC continues to believe, based on current science, that people are more likely to become infected the longer and closer they are to a person with COVID-19. The update acknowledges the existence of some published reports showing limited, uncommon circumstances where people with COVID-19 infected others who were more than 6 feet away or shortly after the COVID-19-positive person left an area. In these instances, transmission occurred in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces that often involved activities that caused heavier breathing, like singing or exercise. Such environments and activities may contribute to the buildup of virus-carrying particles.

CDC’s recommendations remain the same based on existing science and after a thorough technical review of the guidance.

People can protect themselves from the virus that causes COVID-19 by staying at least 6 feet away from others, wearing a mask that covers their nose and mouth, washing their hands frequently, cleaning touched surfaces often, and staying home when sick.

School Waiver Program Opens for L.A. County; Breweries, Indoor Malls and Cardrooms May Reopen

Earlier this week, the L.A. County Department of Public Health began accepting applications from schools for waivers for in-person instruction for grades TK-2. Waivers will be granted to 30 schools per week, prioritizing those with higher percentages of students qualified for free/reduced meals. Learn how to apply at publichealth.lacounty.gov. 

Also this week, breweries and wineries in L.A. County may operate outdoors and offer sit-down dining with a permitted caterer, restaurant, or food truck. Reservations and physical distancing measures are required. Indoor shopping malls are allowed to reopen at 25% maximum occupancy, and all food courts and all common areas remain closed per state guidelines. Cardrooms can reopen for outdoor gaming only. Face coverings are to be worn at all times, unless patrons are in a designated outdoor dining area. Food and beverages may not be served at any gaming tables.

All operators of businesses that have recently been allowed to reopen are required to implement all L.A. County Department of Public Health protocols before reopening to ensure compliance and avoid citations, fines and possible closure. Protocols are available at publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus.

What the State's New Equity Metric Means for L.A. County

This week, the state incorporated an additional metric to its Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Because most counties, including L.A. County, have significant differences in COVID-19 outcomes by race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status, it is important to not only look at COVID-19 indicators across the entire county, but also to understand the experiences among different racial and ethnic groups and people who live in areas with unequal access to resources. For this reason, the state created a metric to assess each county’s progress in closing gaps between people living in communities with the fewest resources and those living in communities with significant resources.

In L.A. County, we have, for many months now, focused on understanding and eliminating gaps in COVID-19 outcomes. The county routinely reports on cases, hospitalizations and deaths by race and ethnicity as well as area poverty to understand what gaps exist and our progress closing these gaps.

And while we still have a significant gap between the positivity rate in our high resourced communities as compared to our less advantaged communities, this difference is not standing in the way of the county advancing to a less restrictive tier at this time. Compared to most of the other Southern California counties, L.A. County has one of the lowest equity measures. What is standing in our way of advancing to a higher tier is that we continue to see more than an average of 700-800 new cases a day.

Our hard work to close gaps in case rates, hospitalizations, and deaths must continue. Addressing the inequitable distribution of resources and opportunities that are essential for optimal health and well-being is critical for every LA County resident.

Playgrounds Update

Following last week’s announcement that outdoor playgrounds may reopen at the approval and discretion of cities, RPV City staff is still working to ensure all playgrounds comply with health guidance and safety standards before reopening. Playgrounds in the RPV will remain closed temporarily until that process is complete, which is expected to occur for most sites by the end of the week. Some playgrounds may remain closed due to regular maintenance projects. Please check rpvca.gov/coronavirus to see when playgrounds are ready for use.

Palos Verdes Peninsula Village Zoom Info Session October 9

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Village builds community with older adults while they remain in their homes as they age. PVP Village has been serving its members throughout the COVID-19 crisis with a calendar full of virtual social opportunities, continuing transportation to essential appointments, computer help including Zoom and FaceTime, grocery shopping, handyman help and referrals.

For information about this dynamic and caring community of friendship and support, contact Executive Director Marianne Propst to participate in a Zoom information session on Friday, October 9 at 1 p.m. You also may call for an informal chat or to arrange a socially distant visit.  

Call 310-991-3324 or visit www.peninsulavillage.net for more details.

New Recreation Programs

The Recreation and Parks Department is excited to offer new recreation programs starting as early as this Saturday, October 10! The City is committed to providing activities that promote health and wellness and serve the social and emotional needs of the community in a safe environment. 

New classes include: Zen Balance Yoga, Hip Hop Dance Class for Kids, Yoga for Young Athletes, Trident Lacrosse, Shimmy & Shake Dance, and Virtual Art!

Activities will be held either virtually or on-site at outdoor park facilities in accordance with L.A. County Department of Public Health protocols.

Space is limited. Register today at apm.activecommunities.com/rpv.

New activities will be added regularly and class schedules and offerings are subject to change. For more information, to view class schedules, fees and to register for programs and activities, check rpvca.gov. 

Announcing the Scarecrow Decorating Contest!

Halloween may look different this year, but the City wants to help you celebrate safely – with a scarecrow decorating contest at City Hall!

Drop off your fully assembled, family-friendly decorated scarecrow at City Hall (30940 Hawthorne Boulevard) anytime between 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on  October 25 and 26, where it will be put on display outside and entered into a contest for a prize! Categories include Best in Show, Most Festive and Most Creative. Winners will be announced on October 27. Prizes include a gift certificate to Big Nick’s Pizza, a gift from the Great American International Seafood Market and a nautical-themed gift basket!  Entries will remain on display outside City Hall through November 1. Drive by and take a look from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

See flyer for contest rules and restrictions: bit.ly/3ddrg9i

Virtual Día de los Muertos Mini Altar Workshop November 1

Join us November 1 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for a family-friendly Día de los Muertos mini altar workshop to celebrate a loved one who has passed away. The workshop will include a presentation about the tradition of Día de los Muertos. To participate, reuse a shoebox from home, obtain a 2 x 3 inch copy of a photo of a loved one, and use the craft materials in the supply kit (provided).
 
Cost: $10. Space is limited. Register today at apm.activecommunities.com/rpv.
 
See flyer at: bit.ly/2I3KnY

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

Drive-Thru Shredding Event October 17

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes and EDCO are offering a free document/paper shredding event on Saturday, October 17 from 8-11 a.m. in the RPV City Hall overflow parking lot located at 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard. 
 
Bring your sensitive, private and confidential documents (such as pay stubs, medical and insurance records, old income tax returns, and bank/mortgage statements) in your trunk or truck bed for secure on-site shredding to prevent or reduce the possibility of identity theft or fraud. The limit is a maximum of three bankers size boxes (approx. size of 10"x12"x15") or paper bags per household. Documents with staples or paper clips are acceptable. However, remove all papers from metal three-ring binders. This event is offered free of charge to RPV residents to assist with the destruction of their personal documents. This event is not offered to businesses or residents of other cities. Please bring proof of RPV residency such as a utility bill or ID.
 
Due to COVID-19 safety measures, residents must remain in their vehicle and wear a face covering. To help minimize physical contact and reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, this event will be exclusively for paper/document shredding. There will be no electronic waste collection or mulch giveaway. Please note that the Rancho Caninos Dog Park will be closed from 6:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
 
For a list of frequently asked questions, visit bit.ly/36FOX94. 
 
If you have additional questions about shredding, please call EDCO’s customer service phone number at 310-540-2977 or visit www.rpvrecycles.com. Alternatively, you may call RPV Public Works at 310-544-5252 or email publicworks@rpvca.gov.

3 Rs to Help with Distance Learning

Distance learning isn’t easy, and lots of kids may feel uneasy about the changes. Find resources to help them and you cope on the LA. County Department of Public Health website at ph.lacounty.gov. And remember the 3 Rs:

1. Relationships – Bond with your kids over non-screen activities like cooking or playing outside.
2. Routines – Wake up, have breakfast, and get dressed for school (even if it’s at home).
3. Reassurance – Acknowledge that some days are harder than others — but there’s always tomorrow!

Marymount California University to Continue Online Instruction for Spring Semester

Marymount California University has announced it will continue online instruction for the spring 2021 semester. The university also anticipates a continuation of fewer limits on students in campus housing. MCU’s physical campus remains closed with the exception of essential limited employee activity. All offices, however, are fully operational and available remotely, and will continue to be through spring. Read the full announcement at: https://www.marymountcalifornia.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Classes-to-Remain-Virtual-for-Spring-2021.pdf

Safe in the South Bay: LiveWell During COVID-19

The Beach Cities Health District's Safe in the South Bay Series is bringing health experts, cities, chambers, schools and community members together around this fast-moving pandemic. The live-streamed series will cover a variety of COVID-19 topics, including testing, navigating the new normal, mental health and personal resilience.

The second Safe in the South Bay series virtual event on October 19 at 5 p.m. will answer some of your most frequently asked COVID-19 questions, provide an update on the latest Beach Cities COVID-19 numbers, what it means to live in the new normal and how you can support local businesses.

Panelists include:

• William Kim, M.D., Chief Medical Advisor, Beach Cities Health District
• David Hart, Ph.D., Director of Community Health, Always Best Care South Bay/West Los Angeles
• Jason Johnson, Ed.D., Superintendent, Hermosa Beach City School District
• Maureen Hunt, President and CEO, Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau

For more information and to register, visit www.bchd.org/coronavirus 

Tips to Protect Yourself from the Flu During COVID-19 by BCHD's Dr. Kim

Dr. William Kim has been a physician in the South Bay for 35 years and serves as Chief Medical Advisor for the Beach Cities Health District (BCHD). In his latest blog post, Dr. Kim answers common questions about getting a flu vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the blog at https://bchd.org/flu-vaccine-important

Application Window Reopens for Grants of up to $25,000 for Small Businesses

This week, applications for the fifth round of funding from the L.A. Regional COVID-19 Recovery Fund opened for small businesses, nonprofits and micro-entrepreneurs facing unprecedented health and economic challenges due to COVID-19. Applications may be submitted for the fifth round of funding by October 9.

The L.A. Regional COVID-19 Recovery Fund aims to distribute: 1) $5,000 grants to micro-entrepreneurs and 2) $15,000-$25,000 grants to non-profits and small businesses. Grants will be distributed through an equitable lottery system, to ensure equitable access to capital across various demographics in the Los Angeles region.

Register for an upcoming webinar to learn more about eligibility and deadlines at lacovidfund.org/events.

Access a full list of local partners providing technical assistance by visiting the LA Regional COVID-19 Recovery Fund website. For more information, visit lacovidfund.org. 

DMV Extends Expiring Commercial Driver’s Licenses Through December

California commercial drivers can continue delivering essential products and supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic without worrying about an expiring license following a new round of extensions by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

In accordance with updated guidance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the DMV is issuing an extension through December 31, 2020, to all commercial driver’s licenses, learner’s permits and endorsements expiring between March and December 31, 2020. A previous extension had been set to expire at the end of September.

The DMV has alerted California law enforcement of the new extensions.

Read more at: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/news-and-media/dmv-extends-expiring-commercial-drivers-licenses-through-december/

Red Cross Blood Drive October 23 - Donate for a Chance to Win a $1,000 Amazon Gift Card!

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 and the Rotary Club of Palos Verdes Peninsula are holding a Red Cross Blood Drive on Friday, October 23 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fred Hesse Jr. Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Reserve a time online at redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: PVPRotary. Visit redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to complete the pre-donation paperwork.

Come to give for your chance to win a $1,000 Amazon gift card! (The Red Cross is giving away five in October. Restrictions, terms and conditions apply. Visit rcblood.org/unite for details.)

The Red Cross is testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Help save lives and get insight into whether you may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus.

If you have questions about this event, please contact Julia Parton at jparton@malagabank.com or 310-613-4085.

Download event flyer at bit.ly/36fTcIq

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.

Palos Verdes Estates Blood Drive October 30

The City of Palos Verdes Estates is hosting a blood drive on Friday, October 30 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the PVE Police Station at 340 Palos Verdes Drive West.
Appointments can be made online at ucedonor.com (click on “Blood Drives” and enter “COPVE” in the Account Code box), or by phone at 310-825-0888 X 2.

Eligible donors will receive a promotional item. COVID-19 antibody testing with select blood donations.

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 October 7, Rancho Palos Verdes had a self-response rate of 80.6%, above state and national averages, but behind our goal of 100% participation. Following a court order, the deadline to complete the census has been extended to October 31. 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.

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/