Updates: May 21, 2020
Palmdale Updates from Mayor Hofbauer:
The City of Palmdale has made Poncitlán Square available to the faith based community this weekend for a time of prayer.
We have groups from all different faiths signed up to hold prayer services, all which will be conducted with safe protocols.
The list of faith-based organizations that will be holding services includes: Faith to You, The Potter’s House Christian Center, Crosswinds Community Church, Victory Outreach, American Islamic Institute of Antelope Valley, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, New Life Rancho Vista, Greater Works Christian Church Iglesia Fuente de Luz en el Desierto, New Image Church, and World Harvest Christian Outreach.
The public is invited to attend the service or services of their choice. Guests are encouraged to remain in their vehicles or to practice safe social distancing and wear face coverings. Anyone who is ill should definitely not attend.
As of May 20, we’ve tested 9,948 people since it opened, an average of 210 people a day. That’s an impressive number. Together, staff from Palmdale Regional Medical Center, the City and LA Fire have teamed up to ensure a very smooth running and efficient system, and our hats are off to everyone who’s been out there serving our community on the front lines.
If you haven’t had a COVID-19 test yet and would like to sign up, please visit https://covid19.lacounty.gov/testing and fill out the online form.
The testing site in Palmdale will be moving from the AV Mall in a couple of weeks, and we’ll keep you posted as the details unfold.
You can keep up to date on all things COVID related by visiting the City’s website, www.cityofpalmdale.org/coronavirus. There we have links to the LA County Department of Health’s page, updated case numbers, links to business resources, virtual recreation opportunities and much more.
Updates: April 27, 2020
Dear LA Area Business Organizations-
Please share the information attached and below with your businesses…
At our Tuesday Small Business Virtual Forum, businesses will be able to learn more about the brand new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program through the state of California Labor and Workforce Development Agency. We will also be providing more information on alternative funding from local grants, loans and financial resources available at the local level. After the overview, we have the following four breakout rooms to dive deeper into the nitty gritty of your business to further answer specific questions: Small Manufacturers, Sole Proprietors, Retail Businesses, & others.
See the attached flyer for more, and you can register (and see past virtual sessions) here.
Thanks,
JOHN
Dear Business Leader,
Thank you for joining California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara for a Small Business Insurance Tele Town Hall. Following is the phone number of a complete replay for your use:
Access Number: (866) 207-1041
Access Code: 4385156
The recording will be available through Friday, April 24th. Please feel free to share the information with friends and colleagues who may be interested in the subject. If you need assistance with your insurance claim, please contact the Department of Insurance at: (800) 927-4357 or www.insurance.ca.gov.
The California Department of Insurance is here to help you, your family and your business during this extraordinary time.
Best regards,
Camille Dixon
L.A. County Employer Assistance Grant Fund
Download Application Information Here
SoCalGas – Customer Information Bill Payment Options & Services During COVID-19
Download Customer Information in English Here
Marketing Assistance for Local Restaurants
Our favorite Antelope Valley restaurants are scrambling to modify their supply/delivery models to accommodate stay at home regulations. In the interest of working together with our community to protect these smaller restaurants, Adelman Broadcasting has created the following special programs…
Take-out Special – Packages A & B
BOB FM 103.3 , KePadre 104.9 FM (Spanish), The HEAT 100.9 FM (Urban Top 40), or Country Gold 87.7 FM
Package A – Quantity 60, :15 Second Commercials monthly (5AM – 9PM) , Cost – $500 per month*, per station
Package B – Quantity 42, :15 Second Commercials per month (5AM – 9PM) , Cost – $350 per month*, per station
These special rate packages provide our local restaurants the most effective means possible to get the message out about currents offers and services, in a way they can afford. For example:
“EAT GREAT AND STAY SAFE AT HOME WITH BOB’S BURGERS. 4 BURGERS, 4 FRIES, AND 4 DRINKS, JUST $19.99, PICK-UP OR DELIVERY. CALL 555-BOBS. STAY HOME AND FEED A FAMILY OF FOUR FOR JUST $19.99. CALL BOB’S BURGERS AT 555-BOBS.”
Local radio continues to be the go-to source for information during this crisis and Nielson ratings confirm that radio listenership has skyrocketed. We hope that our smaller, local restaurants can make use of that increased radio listenership to reach their customers affordably and drive business. Hence this program. (*Note- These packages and rates are temporary, and are being offered first-come first-served due to our limited available air-time during Coronavirus/COVID19 crisis. Package/s may not be changed / 2 Month Maximum.)
For more information please call Trevor @ 661-902-8882.
Update: April 6, 2020
County Supervisor Barger’s office has announced the Antelope Valley Family YMCA in Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park, 43001 10th Street West in Lancaster, is handing out meals on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
COVID- 19 Testing Site Open as of Wednesday, April 1, 2020
A Covid 19 drive-up testing station has opened in Lancaster in a joint effort by the County of Los Angeles, the City of Lancaster and High Desert Medical Group. A second testing station is hoped to open Thursday at the Antelope Valley Mall in Palmdale.
The tests are by appointment only and are only for people with Covid 19 symptoms who are over 65, have underlying health conditions or are under quarantine because of exposure to a confirmed Covid 19 patient.
People can sign up and see if they qualify at https://corona-virus.la/
Below is the High Desert Medical Group announcement:
LANCASTER – On an appointment-only basis, High Desert Medical Group is partnering with Los Angeles County and the City of Lancaster to initiate a parking lot test site starting Wednesday at the medical group’s main clinic parking lot for people deemed symptomatic for Covid-19, officials said.
In order to arrange an appointment the person must have symptoms and conditions that indicate a probable need to be tested.
High Desert Medical Group will not set the appointments. Appointments are arranged only through responding to an online questionnaire – the form can be looked up at https://corona-virus.la. You enter coronavirus.lacity.org into an Internet browser.
Even though the website is directed to a City of Los Angeles website, testing is being expanded into Los Angeles County sites, including the communities of the Antelope Valley, county officials said.
“Our office is working with High Desert Medical Group and the City of Lancaster to ensure testing in the Antelope Valley. It’s important we reach all portions of Los Angeles County,” said 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
“We are glad to be in partnership with Supervisor Barger, and with our community partner, High Desert Medical Group, to be able to get a Covid-19 test location into operation,” Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris said Tuesday. “We have moved heaven and earth to advance this process for our people.”
Individuals eligible for testing at this time include:
•Those with symptoms who are 65 and older
•Those with symptoms who have underlying chronic health conditions
•Those who are subject a mandatory 14 day quarantine period due to a confirmed COVID-19 exposure (with more than 7 days of quarantine remaining)
Tests for eligible citizens from Lancaster, Palmdale and surrounding communities will be administered at a tented site at the Main Clinic for HDMG at 43839 N. 15th St. West in Lancaster, about two blocks north of Ave. K.
The test site begins operation on Wednesday, and tests will be administered Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for people with an approved appointment, according to HDMG Administrator Rafael Gonzalez.
Health deputies for Supervisor Barger, who chairs the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, worked out the details with High Desert Medical Group. City of Lancaster agreed to provide immediate logistics support, Parris said.
“This is a great example of local government working with L.A. County and community partners to move the testing process along,” Parris said.
Gonzalez noted the medical services provider group had been working steadily through recent days to determine a way to expand testing. He emphasized that those calling for test appointments need not be HDMG members or patients.
“Our staff will be on hand to help testing with anyone who is assessed and determined to be in need of a Covid-19 test,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez reached out and set ground for the partnership in discussions with Dr. Clayton Kazan, Los Angeles County’s official Coordinator for Coronavirus Testing.
An electronic bulletin board sign, and traffic direction cones provided by the city, will guide people with appointments into the test screening site.
An electronic bulletin board sign, and traffic direction cones provided by the city, will guide people with appointments into the test screening site.
Gonzalez noted that High Desert Medical Group has been screening and testing its own patients since March 15. Initiation of the parking lot site is an expansion into wider community availability.
HDMG, Gonzalez noted, is not the only provider group affiliated with Heritage Provider Network that is working to ease the spread of the virus, several associated groups have initiated screening, testing and telehealth visits; Desert Oasis Health Care in Palm Springs, Bakersfield Family Medical Center, Regal and Lakeside in the SF Valley, Heritage Victor Valley, and locally Sierra Medical Group.
Update from Senator Wilk 3/22/20
Hi Everyone,
Below is the link to the new updated information from the state regarding the rules on the COVID-19 quarantine. It includes a new “Frequently Asked Questions” section and expansion and clarification of essential businesses that can remain open.
https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/
Last Monday the Legislature appropriated $1.1 billion to fight the virus. A portion of that is supposed to go to economic relief for small business, but I have seen/heard of no plan at this time. Being the Governor has already blown through the first $150 million just to address the homeless issue, I’m not sure how much will be left for small business.
The federal government is in the final stages of negotiating their economic relief bill and it’s expected to be passed and signed on Monday. There will be direct support to businesses and workers in that legislation.
If your business has a way to help fight the virus, please let me know. I had three businesses reach out to me this week about how they can help. I spoke with the Governor on Thursday and he asked me to send him the contact information on those companies.
Last night I received an email with embargoed information regarding upcoming executive orders Governor Newsom will be issuing. None of them are alarming, except it leads me to believe we might be in this current situation longer than any of us would hope to be.
Although we are not in our offices, my staff and I continue to work and are available to help if you have questions. My personal cell is (661) 713-4794.
My best,
STW
Safer at Home Order- Issued 3/21/2020
COVID-19 Update from Mayor Parris 3/20/2020
Download City of Lancaster Update Here
Please Consult the Following Links for More Information (From the Community Leaders Meeting, updated 3/19/20)
PALMDALE REGIONAL HOSPITAL
STILL NOT AT BED CAPAPCITY
https://www.palmdaleregional.com/
AV HOSPITAL
KAISER
LIMITING MEMBERS TO ONE ENTRY POINT
NO VISITORS W/ EXCEPTION OF ONE SUPPORT MEMBER FOR ASSISTANCE ALLOWED FOR DISABLED (PEDIATRIC)
PALMDALE SHERRIF
HANDLING CALLS
TRYING TO MANAGE WHATEVER CAN BE BY PHONE TO LIMIT EXPOSURE
REPORTING – NO NEW OUTBREAK OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
HIGH VISIBILITY PATROLS
OUTREACH TO SENIORS
CHP
NO APPTS AT OFFICE
CAR SEAT PROGRAM BY APPOINTEMT ONLY
EXPLORERS AND SENIOR VOLUNTEERS SUSPENDED
https://www.chp.ca.gov/find-an-office/southern-division/offices/(545)-antelope-valley
LA COUNTY FIRE
STATIONS CLOSED TO PUBLIC, OFFICES CLOSED TO PUBLIC
Emergency Operations Center is operating and staffed locally
APRU ADVANCED PROVIDER RESPONSE UNIT – OUT OF SERVICE. (NOW FACE TIMING)
SENATOR SCOTT WILK AND ASSEMBLYMAN TOM LACKEY-
OFFICES OPEN WITH STAFF AVIALBLE TO HELP NAVIGATE STATE AGENCIES
UNEMPLOYMENT – 7 DAY WAITING PERIOD WAIVED
COUNTY SUPERVISOR BARGER’S OFFICE
(NOTE: INFO RECEIVED PRIOR TO “SAFER AT HOME” PUBLIC RELEASE)
COUNTY FACILITIES CLOSED FOR PUBLIC ACCESS BUT AVAILABLE BY PHONE
COUNTY LIBRARY AND ALL PARKS OFFICES CLOSED
PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER DECLARED ONLY TO-GO AND DELIVERY IN RESTAURANTS
NO GATHERS OF OVER 50 IN ANY CASE (HAS BEEN REDUCED TO 10), VIOLATIONS OF THIS ORDER ARE CONSIDERED MISDEMEANORS
UPDATE TO BE MADE FROM COUNTY/CITY 3/19 AT 5:30 ON GOVERNMENT ACCESS CHANNEL
https://kathrynbarger.lacounty.gov/
CITY OF PALMDALE
OFFICE VISIT APPOINTMENT ONLY, ENCOURAGING USE OF ONLINE RESOURSES.
LAUNCHED “TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT” CAMPAIGN
FREE USE OF “LIVE HEALTH” ONLINE FOR PALMDALE EMPLOYEES AND FAMILY MEMBERS
DRIVE-UP/PICK UP FOR FOOD AVAILABE AT SAVES AND LEGACY COMMONS
EMPLOYEES OF HEALTH CARE AND PUBLIC SAFETY OFFERED FREE DAY CARE AT MARIE KERR PARK
STREAMLINING BUSINESS RESOURCES AND CORONA VIRUS INFO AT WEBSITE
https://www.cityofpalmdale.org/
CITY OF LANCASTER
WORKING WITH SHERRIF, FIRE DEPT. , SALVATION ARMY TO CONSTRUCT A FIELD HOSPITAL AT FAIRGROUNDS THAT WILL HAVE 800 BED CAPACITY
CHILDCARE BEING OFFERED FOR HOSPITAL AND CITY STAFF
WORKING WITH MEALS ON WHEELS OUT OF SANTA CLARITA TO PROVIDE HOT MEALS ONCE A DAY
https://www.cityoflancasterca.org/
PALMDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT
FEEDING CHILDREN 18 AND UNDER THROUGH APRIL 3RD
FOOD TRUCK AT MCADAMS PARK AND 7 SCHOOLS SITES, LIMITING EXPOSURE BY NOT GIVING BREAKFAST STARTING MONDAY
WILL SERVE HOT LUNCH AND THE NEXT DAY’S BREAKFAST AT THE SAME TIME
CURRENTLY PROVDING 3000 MEALS A DAY
PALMADLE AEROSPACE ACCADEMY
REFER TO INFO @ PALMDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT
WESTSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT
OFFICES ARE CLOSED
MAY REOPEN TO SOME OFFICE PERSONEL NEXT WEEK TO FACILITATE ONLINE COMMUNITY
SERVING BREAKFAST/LUNCH WITH GRAB AND GO BAGS
https://www.westside.k12.ca.us/
AV UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
ALL HIGHSCHOOLS CLOSED THROUGH 4/3
DRIVE UP LUNCHES AND TAKE HOM BREAKFAST FOR NEXT DAY BEING PROVIDED TO ANYONE UNDER 18, ALL THIS WEEK AND THROUGH THE NEXT TWO WEEKS
CURRENTLY EXAMINING EDUCAITONAL OPTIONS
LANCASTER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
ANTELOPE VALLEY COLLEGE
ALL CLOSED THROUGH 4/13
ONLINE WORK ONLY THIS WEEK TO CONTINUE 2 WEEKS AFTER SPRING BREAK
STAFF SCHEDULED TO RETURN 4/6
CSU BAKERSFIELD
CLOSED NEXT WEEK
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE
DESIGNATED HEATH CONDITION BRAVO
RESTRICTED ACCESS TO MANY FACIITIES ON BASE
NASA
AT LEVEL 3 STAFFING (MINIMAL)
MANDATORY WORK-FROM-HOME UNLESS MISSION ESSENTIAL
AIRCRAFT SUPPORT OUT OF LOCKHEED AND PLANT 42
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR FOR SCIENCE AIRCRAFT
INFO AVAILABLE @ NASAPEOPLE.NASA.GOV
AVTA-
ADDITIONAL CLEANING CREW/S BROUGHT IN SO THAT BUSSES MAY BEING WIPED DOWN COMPLETELY THROUGHOUT THE DAY AS THEY COME THROUGH THE TRANSPORTATION CENTER
MAXIMUM PASSNEGER LOAD HAS BEEN REDUCED ON ALL BUSSES TO 50% CAPACITY IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING
LA COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL
SHELTERS ARE CLOSED TO PUBLIC , ADOPTIONS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
OFFICERS AND KENNEL ATTENDANTS AVAILABLE FOR EMERGENCY CALLS AND ANIMAL CARE
https://animalcare.lacounty.gov/
PALMDALE WATER DISTRICT
IMPLEMENTING MITIGATION STRATEGY
LIMITTING ACCESS TO LOBBY
ENCOURAGING CUSTOMERS TO PAY BY PHONE OR ONLINE
GAVEA-
NEWSLETTER GOING OUT TO COMMUNITY LEADERS LIST
TRACKING WHAT STATE IS OFFERING
QH CHAMBER-
UPDATING WEBSITE DAILY WITH INFORMATION FOR BUSINESSES AND CITIZENS UPON RECEIPT FROM OTHER OFFICES AND AGENCIES.
PROMOTING ADHERENCE TO FEDERAL, STATE, AND COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS.
PROMOTING #TAKEOUTTUESDAYS , #ORDERINWEDNESDAYS , & THE CITY OF PALMDALE’S “TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT” SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT PROGRAMS.
AV HISPANIC CHAMBER
UPDATING WEBSITE WITH INFORMATION FOR BUSINESSES AND CITIZENS UPON RECEIPT FROM OTHER OFFICES AND AGENCIES.
PROMOTING ADHERENCE TO FEDERAL, STATE, AND COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS.
SENDING SURVEY TO ACCESS NEEDS OF BUSINESSES
https://www.avhispanicchamber.org/
LANCASTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
https://www.lancasterchamber.org/
PALMDALE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
https://www.palmdalechamber.org/
City of Lancaster Town Hall Update 3/17/2020
Today during our virtual town hall, Mayor R Rex Parris announced a local State of Emergency. What does this mean for Lancaster citizens? It allows the City to extend the deadline for non-essential City functions, limiting in-person meetings and events to 10 or fewer, City classes and sporting events larger than 10 people are cancelled, group homes are limited to staff and vendors, senior day care centers are screening visitors restricting those with a temperature over 100, voluntary grocery stores will set aside time for persons 60 and older to shop, and business licenses fees will be prorated for the duration of the required closures.
A virtual City Council meeting will be held this evening at 5:00 p.m. It will be available to stream on the City’s website and Channel 28. Citizens will be permitted to attend and speak on items, the City will enact social distancing for all attendees.
We encourage all residents to watch the town hall at: http://lancaster.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?clip_id=1858
Additional information and details will be available at: www.cityoflancasterca.org/coronavirus
Please share this post.
Be Well, Stay Informed, Stand Strong,
Mayor R. Rex Parris
SBA Info from Kathryn Barger’s Office
Passing on this information on SBA loans so you can inform business owners affected by the coronavirus shutdowns.
Other help to employees and employers is available through the state Employment Development Department at https://edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm
Charles Bostwick
Assistant Field Deputy
KATHRYN BARGER
Supervisor, Fifth District
Chair, Board of Supervisors
Office: (661) 726-3600
Fax: (661) 942-5069
cid:image001.png@01D48D4C.587090B0
Kaiser Permanente Update 3/13/2020
The novel coronavirus, which causes a disease known as COVID-19, is a member of the same family of viruses that causes colds. This new strain, first identified in China, does not appear to be as severe as more virulent strains in this family – including SARS and MERS – but like those strains, the coronavirus can progress to pneumonia. Typical symptoms include fever and cough. Treatment is similar to that for other viral infections.
The potential public health threat posed by COVID-19 is very high, to the United States and globally. The World Health Organization on March 11 declared the outbreak a global pandemic. For the majority of people, however, the immediate risk of being exposed to the virus is thought to be low. There is not widespread circulation in most communities in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is a rapidly evolving situation and the risk assessment will be updated as needed.
We have opened a national command center to prepare our staff and facilities for potentially large numbers of our members who may become ill or are concerned they are ill.
Kaiser Permanente has been working on confronting highly infectious diseases for years, and we are confident we can safely treat patients who have been infected with this virus, with limited risk to other patients, members and employees. Staff at all our medical centers regularly drill using various disaster scenarios, including detection of infectious diseases, and have practiced and follow the CDC protocols to be used with the coronavirus. As more has been learned about this virus, recommendations have evolved.
What to expect
Our physicians and other caregivers are asking members and patients with respiratory symptoms about recent travel to potentially affected areas as well as contact with people who may have the coronavirus. Those who have symptoms will in most cases be isolated in our medical centers. In cases where patients are otherwise healthy and their symptoms mild, they may be sent home to convalesce in isolation from others with regular monitoring by clinicians via phone or other means.
People contacting our travel nurses are cautioned about travel to potentially affected areas and advised to seek medical attention immediately if they show signs of illness. Most infected people will recover on their own. If a Kaiser Permanente member or family member has traveled recently to an area of risk and has symptoms of respiratory illness, they should call the number on their Kaiser Permanente membership card for instructions.
Again, we are closely monitoring the progress of this illness and will adjust our practices according to CDC recommendations.
Practice prevention
The coronavirus spreads like other respiratory viruses. Here are some tips for preventing the spread of this virus as well as cold and flu:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away and wash your hands.
- Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces you touch.