Critical Blood Shortage and COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Shortage
COVID-19 Vaccine Updates
Get CA Notify on Your Phone – California’s Contract Tracing Tool
Understand Your Risks
Los Angeles County Launches Free Technical Assistance Program to Help Businesses
Free Personal Protective Equipment for LA County Small Businesses
FREE COVID-19 Testing
Food Resources
You Are Not Alone
Questions? Call the Culver City Hotline
1. Public Health Urges Everyone to Stay Home
This is likely to be the worst month of the pandemic in LA County. The surge from holiday gatherings is here, and cases will increase due to parties and travelers returning to LA County.
It is necessary for everyone to follow the simple public health safety measures that provide protection from COVID-19 and minimize spreading it to friends and family. Stay home. Stop the surge.
2. Self-Isolate if You Have COVID-19
If you start to experience any symptoms or have a positive COVID-19 test, you must isolate yourself for at least 10 days since the symptoms started and you are fever free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medicine).
Stay home from work, school, and public areas.
Stay away from others at home.
Tell close contacts to self-quarantine for 10 days from the day they were exposed and monitor their health for the full 14 days.
Wear a face covering if you must be around others.
For help finding free delivery services, social services, essential items like food and medicines, visit the Public Health resources webpage or call 2-1-1. If you are unable to isolate safely, call (833) 540-0473.
Know the COVID-19 symptoms:
fever or chills
cough
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
fatigue
muscle or body aches
headache
new loss of taste or smell
sore throat
congestion or runny nose
nausea or vomiting
3. You Could Have COVID-19 and Not Know It
One in five residents currently tested is infected with COVID-19. Community transmission rates are high, and any activity outside your home is high-risk. Prevent the spread of COVID-19 by staying home as much as possible. If you must go out, wear a cloth face covering while around others from outside your household, maintain physical distancing of at least six feet, wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
If you are traveling into L.A. County, were in a gathering without face coverings or distancing, or around someone positive for COVID-19, you are required to self-quarantine for 10 days. It will protect your friends and family from getting infected. Review Home Quarantine Instructions and read the Health Officer Quarantine Order for more information.
4. COVID-19 Counts in Culver City and LA County
The City of Culver City mourns the loss of our residents who have passed away, which sadly includes the passing of residents due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The County of Los Angeles Public Health Department tracks COVID-19 cases and deaths of County residents.
Culver City’s Case and Death Counts – as of January 5, 2021
Cases in Culver City – 1,420
Deaths in Culver City – 43
Cases in Los Angeles County – 11,841 new cases were reported today (852,165 cases to date)
Deaths in Los Angeles County – 258 new deaths were reported today (11,328 deaths to date)
There are 8,023 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 20% of these people are in the intensive care unit. On November 1, the three-day average number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 was 791. On January 4, the three-day average increased to 7,873. Hospitals are accepting more patients than they can discharge, and this is causing a huge strain on our emergency medical system.
Please protect yourself and those around you by wearing a face covering, washing your hands regularly, staying at home as much as possible, keeping at least six feet of physical distance from others when in public, and avoiding people who do not live with you.
5. Critical Blood Shortage and COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Shortage
Are you fully recovered from a verified COVID-19 diagnosis? If so, the plasma in your blood may contain COVID-19 antibodies that can attack the virus. This convalescent plasma is being evaluated as a possible treatment for currently ill COVID-19 patients, so your donation could help save the lives of patients battling this disease! It is a special gift only those who have recovered from the virus can give. For more info and to locate a donation center, visit the State of California COVID-19 plasma webpage.
There is a critical blood shortage. Please sign up to make a donation today:
Vaccine Scams – During the coronavirus pandemic, scammers have been using robocalls, social media posts, and emails to take advantage of fear, anxiety, and confusion about COVID-19. They sell things that don’t work, charge money for things that are free, and steal personal information. Now that the COVID-19 vaccine is in Los Angeles County, scammers are targeting local residents with new, vaccine-related schemes. Please beware!
Vaccine Myths – The Department of Public Health recently released a myth busting information sheet for the COVID-19 vaccine. The document addresses the top 10 most circulated myths surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine.
Myth: These vaccines use genetic material to fight the virus. That means they can affect our genes.
The Facts: These vaccines do use genetic material, called mRNA (that stands for “messenger” RNA) to fight the virus but it doesn’t do anything to your genes.
Just as its name says, mRNA works like a messenger. In this case, the mRNA used in the vaccine tells your body to make a protein that kicks your immune system into action. The mRNA lets your body get a message from the virus without having to run into the virus directly.
But it doesn’t affect your genes. Keep in mind that you encounter genetic material from other plants and animals all the time, when you eat them. Your body breaks them down into their basic chemicals, using the proteins and fats and carbohydrates they contain to give you energy and make your cells work.
Like the food you eat, the mRNA you get in a vaccine does have an effect on your health, but it doesn’t change your genes or your DNA.
7. Get CA Notify on Your Phone – California’s Contract Tracing Tool
Now more than ever, it is important that we all do our part to stop the surge in COVID-19 cases. Opt-in to receive notifications on your cell phone when you have come in contact with someone who tested positive for the virus. California Notify does not gather your name, your contact information, your location, your movements or the identity of the people you meet. Visit the CA Notify website to learn more.
8. Understand Your Risks
The Los Angeles Department of Aging, in partnership with BellAge, Inc. has launched CV19 CheckUp in Los Angeles County. CV19 CheckUp is a free, quick, and easy way to understand your risks and provide you with local information to help you stay safe and healthy. In 5-10 minutes, you'll receive a personalized report. Know your risks. Try CV19 CheckUp now for free.
9. Los Angeles County Launches Free Technical Assistance Program to Help Businesses
The Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) has launched a new online resource to help businesses large and small navigate through economic uncertainty and prepare them for a post-COVID-19 economy. The BizHelp Program will offer support and resources via a series of online webinars starting January 12, 2021. Businesses interested in participating or requiring further information can visit the BizHelp Program website.
10. Free Personal Protective Equipment for LA County Small Businesses
The City of Culver City, in concert with the Culver City Chamber, has partnered with PPE Unite. PPE Unite works to provide face masks, hand sanitizer, and face shields to small businesses in LA County. While supplies last, sign up to schedule pick-up for your 30-day supply of PPE to keep your employees safe. The pick-up location and time will be disclosed upon sign up. Pick-ups will occur in Culver City tomorrow, January 7, 2021 between 11 AM – 4 PM. Supplies are limited. Learn more about PPE Unite.
If you have been in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.
If you think you were exposed because you were working, especially in essential services, in a place where you are frequently exposed to other people who may not be taking precautions.
If you share living spaces with other people who may be positive for COVID-19.
If you have been in a crowd or gathering where people were close together and not wearing face coverings and/or keeping their distance.
If you think you need a test, the County encourages you to call your doctor first. Testing is best done by a healthcare provider, so that they can monitor your care. If you do not have a doctor or are unable to contact them, dial 2-1-1 for a referral to a provider. Other private COVID-19 testing may be available. Find a community testing site near you with the California for ALL Testing Tool.
Please note: a COVID-19 test will not protect you and others around you from the virus. Even if you receive a negative result, you should practice physical distancing, wear a face covering, and wash your hands frequently. A negative COVID-19 test does not guarantee that you do not have the virus. With widespread community transmission, there is a daily risk of being infected with COVID-19.
If you or one of your neighbors are in need of food, please call the Culver City CERT Assistance Call Center at (310) 253-5545.
The Culver City Emergency Food Drive continues to accept donations to help those in need in Culver City and now has an online donation option. With many neighbors in our community over the age of 65 and/or with underlying medical conditions and those neighbors who have lost their jobs, who don’t have the means to purchase and pickup groceries during the pandemic, we welcome your help! Let’s bridge that gap by being a neighbor that helps neighbors and donate non-perishable food items to those in need.
The requested non-perishable items are:
Rice, dried beans (pinto, black, lentil), pasta sauce, canned meat (Vienna sausages, spam, etc.), canned vegetables, canned fruit, rolled oats, low-sodium soups, freeze dried meats, fruits and vegetables, flour, chips and salsa, popcorn, honey, canned fruit juice, water.
Items that are most needed are canned vegetables and canned fruits, tuna, peanut butter and pasta.
Please drop off your non-perishable food items at any of the following locations or call the CERT Assistance Call Center at (310) 253-5545 to arrange a donation pick up from your doorstep by Bike Culver City.
Culver City Presbyterian Church 11269 Washington Blvd.
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1 PM to 4 PM (enter through the courtyard)
Larsen Automotive 10707 Jefferson Blvd.
Hours : Monday-Friday 7:30 AM to 5 PM Saturday and Sunday 8 AM to 4 PM
Petco 5347 Sepulveda Blvd.
Hours: 10 AM to 6 PM Every day
Sorrento Italian Market 5518 Sepulveda Blvd.
Hours: Monday - Saturday 7 AM to 7 PM (Closed Tuesday) Sunday - 7 AM to 4 PM
For more information, call Ira Diamond, Organizer, at (213) 309-4084 or Christine Parra, Culver City Emergency Coordinator, at (310) 253-5909.
FeedCulver
Culver City is an amazing community, and it’s pulling together to help those who are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. An example of this amazing community support and collaboration is FeedCulver. FeedCulver is a partnership between local restaurants, the Exchange Club, the Culver City Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Business Association, working with Council Member Göran Eriksson, Former Council Member Thomas Small, and local non-profits to prepare and distribute nourishing and nutritious meals to those in need in the Culver City community – and they need your support to make it happen.
How does it work? Local restaurants, led by Akasha, create and package meals, which are delivered to volunteer organizations each day to be distributed through their programs.
Who does this serve? FeedCulver distributes around 100 free meals per day to those in need in the Culver City community through local partners. Additionally, this program helps keep local businesses open and their employees working.
What can I do? Make a donation—buy a meal for a neighbor in need! Click here to donate to FeedCulver. All donations will be managed by the Exchange Club and the money will be used to cover the cost of food and preparation. Or, prepare food—do you own a restaurant or catering business? Contact FeedCulver about getting involved. Please note, due to stringent health requirements FeedCulver is not able to engage with home cooks at this time.
LA County Food Resources
Los Angeles County is committed to preventing hunger and ensuring access to food for all residents. The County is currently mobilizing a Countywide response to hunger by coordinating public agencies, nonprofits, and volunteers to provide meals to anyone in need during the weeks and months to come. LA County residents can visit the County COVID-19 website's food portal to receive or provide support at this critical time. The LA County portal connects those in need to those who can help. The food-insecure can find meal and voucher programs. Community organizations can find out how to connect people to the goods that are most needed.
Great Plates Delivered
This program provides three free home-delivered meals a day from local restaurants to qualifying older adults and adults over 60 who are at high-risk of COVID-19. Great Plates Delivered not only helps LA County's most vulnerable residents, but helps get local restaurants, hospitality, and transportation industries back to work.
To be eligible for this program, individuals:
must meet age requirements
are 65 or older; OR are 60-64 and have been diagnosed with, exposed to or at high risk of COVID-19 as defined by the CDC
are unable to prepare or obtain meals
are not currently receiving assistance from other state or federal nutrition assistance programs such as CalFresh/SNAP
must live alone or with one other program-eligible adult
must earn between $25,520 to $74,940 (single household) or between $34,380 to $101,460 (two-person household) per year
must live in unincorporated LA County or a city that does not offer its own Great Plates Delivered program
LA County wants to remind you that CalFresh food assistance is available. Food assistance is needed more than ever to help individuals and households who have just lost jobs, businesses, homes and other financial resources, as a result of the COVID-19 health crisis.
While LA County's Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) offices remain closed, DPSS experts are still open for business and are ready to assist you.
If you or someone you know has a non-emergency, non-medical need or question related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and you would like assistance, please email the City or call the City’s Coronavirus Hotline at (310) 253-6890 (Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM). If you email or leave a message at the Hotline after hours, please include your name, address, phone number, email address, and your need or question. In an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.
We want you to know that we are here for you. If you or another Culver City resident would like a check-in call for a quick chat, let us know. Our friendly City staff are making weekly phone calls to any residents 18 and older just to say “hi," see how you are doing, or offer information and resources. You don’t need a reason—we’ll call you. If you would like to sign-up for the weekly phone call program, give us a ring at (310) 253-6890 (Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM).
