These are certainly unprecedented times. While we all had hoped that, by now, we would be over the hump with regard to the COVID-19 health crisis, unfortunately, LA County and 29 other counties in the state are experiencing spikes in cases and hospitalizations.

California governor Gavin Newsom issued revised shutdown orders on July 13, 2020. In response, LA County Public Health issued the following for LA County:

"As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise here and across California, the Los Angeles County Health Officer Order will be modified today to align with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s directives to prevent more cases, more serious illnesses, increased hospitalizations and more deaths.

The Order requires the closure of additional indoor operations for certain sectors which promote the mixing of populations beyond households and make adherence to physical distancing with face coverings difficult:

• Gyms and Fitness Centers
• Places of Worship
• Indoor Protests
• Offices for Non-Critical Infrastructure Sectors as identified at covid19.ca.gov
• Personal Care Services (including nail salons, massage parlors, and tattoo parlors)
• Hair Salons and Barbershops
• Malls

Bars, indoor dining at restaurants, indoor museums, indoor operations at zoos and aquariums, and cardrooms and satellite wagering facilities remain closed in Los Angeles County, and all events and gatherings are prohibited unless specifically allowed by the Order."

In addition:

"School re-openings will be guided by the state and by each school district’s decision on how to best configure learning opportunities during the pandemic, considering the levels of community transmission and what the science tells us about the risks. For those schools that re-open their campuses, they will need to adhere to the public health and safety requirements detailed in the protocol released today."

To date, LA County Public Health has identified 136,129 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County and a total of 3,822 deaths. The City of West Hollywood has had 341 positive cases.

According to public health officials, the best protection against COVID-19 continues to be:

• Wash your hands frequently,
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands,
• Self-isolate if you are sick,
• Practice physical distancing, and
• Wear a clean face covering when in contact with others from outside your household. 

For more information and county updates, visit LA County's Public Health website: http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

To access information on resources for residents, tenants and businesses in the City of West Hollywood, visit the City's website here. 

For tips on Coping with High-Heat Days during Safer At Home Orders, click here. If you have immediate concerns about the impact of hot weather on yourself or a loved one in the City of West Hollywood, the City’s Social Services Division may be able to coordinate assistance for community members who are older adults or are vulnerable to high-heat conditions. Please call (323) 848-6510 for information.

To wrap up, below are some initiatives I brought forward second quarter of 2020 that were adopted by Council...

Quality of Life Issues:

• Online Programming - directed staff to expand online events and experiences for community members during the COVI9-19 emergency, including providing arts programming, symposiums, and other community events virtually when possible. Thank you, Councilmember Duran for co-sponsoring.
• Additional Construction and Noise Mitigation Measures - directed staff to develop and implement additional mitigation measures to address construction and landscape maintenance during Safer at Home orders. Thank you, Mayor Horvath, for asking me to co-sponsor.

Small Business Support:

• Emergency Actions to Support Businesses - provided additional authority to the City Manager to expedite creative ways to support businesses during the current state of emergency in response to COVID-19, including, but not limited to: convert meters to loading zones, develop a centralized job board, negotiate with food delivery services for lower citywide rates, negotiate lower citywide internet rates, work with Weho Chamber to develop a "shop local #wehostrong" campaign and negotiate reduced banner and sign advertising rates. Thanks to Councilmember D'Amico for co-sponsoring.
• Recovery Assistance Targeted for Legacy Businesses - directed staff to develop strategies to help legacy businesses and legacy districts in Weho recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Thanks to Councilmember Duran for co-sponsoring.

Life Post-COVID:

• Proposal to Install Hand Sanitizer Stations at City Parks - directed staff to install hand sanitization stations at city parks and other appropriate locations as soon as is feasible.
• Telecommuting - directed staff to evaluate ways to encourage ongoing telecommuting and reduced auto traffic as businesses in the City reopen after the pandemic. Thank you, Councilmember D'Amico, for co-sponsoring.

Remember:

• Stay at home as much as possible.
• If you leave your home, wear a facial covering or mask. The City of West Hollywood requires the use of cloth face coverings (or masks) in public.
• Practice social distancing.
• The City will post updates on its Coronavirus info page and encourages community members to follow @wehocity on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and turn on notifications for up-to-date information regarding details in the City of West Hollywood.  

For City News and Top Stories, check out the City's website. For upcoming City meetings and events, check out the City Calendar. For the latest City Council meeting agenda, visit the WeHoTV page on the City's website.